Journalist David Menzies and Rebel News Network Ltd have sued the RCMP and the Liberal’s Attorney General of Canada, Arif Virani, following the January 8 incident at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.
The claim includes allegations of false arrest, false imprisonment, assault, and breach of Charter rights.
The lawsuit follows a viral video from January 8 showing Menzies asking Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland a question on a public sidewalk, before getting arrested by police. The arrest of Menzies came from an officer who wasn’t dressed in uniform.
In the video, the officer sneakily stepped in front of Menzies from behind a pole, instigating extremely minor contact between the two men. The officer then proceeded to arrest Menzies for assault, handcuffing and detaining him in a police vehicle.
Police then drove to an empty parking lot a few blocks from the incident and released Menzies without pressing charges.
Menzies and Rebel News Network Ltd are pursuing compensation from alleged damages, including $50,000 in general damages, $500,000 in damages under section 24 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and another $500,000 in punitive, exemplary, and aggravated damages due to the alleged callous and high-handed actions of the defendants.
Alleged Charter Rights violations include freedom of expression and press, and freedom from arbitrary detention.
Also listed as defendants in the lawsuit are the York Regional Police Services Board, and five individual police officers from the incident.
Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland spoke to reporters about the incident three days after it occurred, and refused to condemn the RCMP’s actions.
Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) leader Pierre Poilievre later chimed in on the viral incident, suggesting the police have been corrupted by the Trudeau Government.
