Eviction notice passes for ‘The United People of Canada’ at St. Brigid’s Church

Despite an eviction order that went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25, members 'The United People of Canada' (TUPOC) remain at the St. Brigid's Church. 

A 'Notice of Termination of Tenant' was provided to TUPOC on Aug. 17, giving the group five days to leave the church, which is located Lowertown. 

The organization set up shop in St. Brigid's Church this summer, as part of a conditional offer to buy the space. The group claims to have no connection to the protest that denounced COVID-19 restrictions and the Trudeau government in February, though several members of its board have ties to the convoy movement.

Confrontations between residents and TUPOC members took place on the evening of Aug. 24, and witnesses said there were at least two swarmings of area residents and at least six police cruisers were called to the scene. 

A woman named Heather told CityNews Ottawa she just wants all this to be over. 

“It's a roller coaster,” she said. “We got our hopes up, our hopes smashed, hopes up again. We want to believe what we understand ro be a lawful eviction and reported by everyone except the church group.”

Neighbours have protested the group's presence in the community, and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson told The Rob Snow Show with guest host Derick Fage on Aug. 19 he understands why. 

“I don't believe for a minute the group doesn't have ties to the convoy movement,” Watson said. “They seem sort of kooky, to be perfectly honest, calling their church an embassy and now it seems they haven't paid their rent and are being evicted.”