Man arrested for disturbance on Parliament Hill wanted in Toronto

A man arrested on Parliament Hill Wednesday evening was wanted in Toronto on an outstanding bench warrant, police say.

Ottawa police say they arrested the man for causing a disturbance on the Hill and later discovered he was wanted in Toronto.

Kyle Boisselle, 51, of Toronto, had previously been charged with assault and criminal harassment on May 22, 2021.

Toronto police tell CityNews that he is currently wanted on an outstanding bench warrant related to these charges. Police in Ottawa have returned him to Toronto and he is expected to appear in court Thursday at 10 a.m.

Security at Parliament Hill has been heightened in recent days in anticipation of protests scheduled for Canada Day.

Ottawa and Gatineau police say there will be a never-before-seen security posture as groups opposed to COVID-19 restrictions are pledging to demonstrate throughout downtown Ottawa and Parliament Hill, calling this year’s Canada Day “unprecedented and unique.”

They added police will not allow “for the conditions that led to the unlawful protests in February to reoccur,” referring to the ‘Freedom Convoy’ protest that gridlocked downtown streets for three weeks.

Ottawa police will get support from other municipal, provincial and federal police services, but will not discuss what services or level of support it is getting, the officer said.

“We have the capability to deal with any unlawful or disruptive behaviour swiftly,” police said.

With files from The Canadian Press.