Lowertown Community Association calling on City to facilitate local ownership of St. Brigid’s Church

By Alex Goudge

The Lowertown Community Association is raising concerns over the group looking to purchase the St. Brigid's Church for $6-million, and is calling on the City of Ottawa for support.

According to association president Sylvie Bigras, there are indicators of a strong link between the group “The United People of Canada” and the so-called Freedom Convoy, despite the group denying any ties to this winter's occupation.

“Well-meaning residents of Lowertown have sent us lots of images where there is a clear link between individuals who were leaders of the convoy in February and who are involved in the United People of Canada, so that is troubling,” Bigras told The Rob Snow Show on Wednesday, August 3.

She feels the community was hard-hit and traumatized amid the occupation, and residents are not keen to relive that experience.

The association, along with local community group Horizon Ottawa, is calling on the City of Ottawa to facilitate local ownership of the church, in order to ensure it stays within the hands of the community.

“In Lowertown, we have a lack of community spaces, and certainly arts and cultural spaces,” Bigras explained. “The lovely Irish cultural group that own the church, or currently owns it, experienced financial troubles during the pandemic and that's totally understandable — we'd love to see it continue as a cultural or arts centre.”

She adds the association doesn't think the City has the capacity to just buy a building, nor do they think democratically someone can be stopped from purchasing a building, but would love to see if there is a possibility of alternate ownership.

Meanwhile, an Ottawa-based criminal lawyer and concerned citizen is wondering where the United People of Canada is getting the money required for the $6-million dollar purchase.

According to James Bowie, it appears the group has no concrete business experience and it is unclear who is investing in the property.

He expects the group will not be eligible for a mortgage for the property.

“I'm just going to speculate that they must be buying this place in cash, sticker price, for $6-million,” Bowie told The Rob Snow Show on Wednesday, August 3. “So we have to ask 'Where is this money coming from?'”

Bowie adds that the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), the country's national financial intelligence agency, will have some ability to follow the money before or after the purchase, and is hoping that will happen.

Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury told The Sam Laprade Show with guest host Derick Fage on Thursday, August 4 there is an opportunity for the City of Ottawa to acquire the property, but time is running out. 

Coun. Fleury said at this time, the only offer on the table for the property is from the United People of Canada, a group that has denied any ties to the so called 'Freedom Convoy'. 

Fleury added he doesn't have a lot of runway with the current council with the municipal election not far off. 

“We have 14 weeks left until the election,” he said. “We are in a really bizarre time to find solutions.”

Fleury said he is working with local leaders to see if an external approach can be found. 

Listen to the full interview with Coun. Mathieu Fleury below:

Listen to the full interview with Sylvie Bigras below:

Listen to the full interview with James Bowie below:

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today