'We will not let them win,' Trudeau says after being pelted with gravel during campaign stop

Saying he's inspired by front-line workers facing harassment on the job,Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said todayhe won't let "the mob" control hiscampaignafter he was sprayed with gravel during a raucous protestin London, Ont. yesterday.

"No one should be doing their jobs under the threat of violence or acts that put them in danger," he said during a campaignstop in Montreal today.

"There are health care workers across the country who are getting hassled and intimidated and bullied as they are going in to work to keep people safe and alive. There are store clerks, waitresses, people going about their daily lives getting yelled at and pushed around for wearing masks, for being vaccinated. That's not how we do things in Canada."

In an email to CBC News Tuesday, a spokesperson for the London Police Service (LPS) said ithasopenedan investigation into the incident. The LPS is asking anyone with information to contact them.

Several protests were staged outside hospitals, police headquarters and other busy areas across Ontario last week in response toPremier Doug Ford's announcement of the province's COVID-19 vaccine passport plan on Wednesday.

WATCH |Trudeau is asked whether protesters will face charges for throwing gravel

Trudeau says he won't 'flinch' in face of protests

3 years ago

Duration 2:50

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau was asked if intensifying protests at his election events would change how he campaigns.

Similar protests were staged against COVID-19 vaccinations across British Columbia, with thousands of demonstrators gathered outside hospitals and government buildings in Vancouver, Kelowna, Kamloops, Victoria, Prince George and Nanaimo.

"Those are the people that I think about, those are the people I want to defend from being tossed gravel at, from being spat on for having someone tug at their mask orjust make them feel terrible as they're going in for an 18 hour shift to save the lives of people who themselves chose not to get vaccinated,"Trudeau said."Come on."

Trudeau's comments came a day after he was sprayed by gravel as he boarded his bus, which was surrounded by outraged protesters.

WATCH|How should federal parties weigh security concerns on the campaign trail?

How should federal parties weigh security concerns on the campaign trail?

3 years ago

Duration 4:59

Former RCMP deputy commissioner Pierre-Yves Bourduas joins Power & Politics to discuss the security risks that federal party leaders are grappling with on the campaign trail.

Trudeau later confirmed to reporters on the campaign plane that he was hit by gravel but said he was fine.

Trudeau described the protesters as a "mob" and "practically foaming at the mouth," while drawing a distinction between anti-vaccineprotesters and those who are merely hesitant.

"We will not let them win. They will not interfere with the way this election is presenting a clear choice to Canadians," he said.

WATCH |Trudeau, security detail hit by gravel stones

O'Toole speaks out against protesters throwing gravel at Trudeau

3 years ago

Duration 2:10

'We live in a great democracy and let's act like we do,' Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says after protesters threw gravel at Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau.

Trudeau had to cancel an appearance earlier in the campaign due to angry crowds. While promising to not flinchin the face of angry protests, he also said he will listen to the RCMP's advice regarding security.

Trudeau said he talked to the Mounties after the gravel incident and told them he was OK, adding that he will leave any discussion of charges up to police.

A spokesperson for the RCMP's National Division said the forcecontinues to run threat and risk assessments to determine appropriate levels of protective services for the leaders and "adapt its protective posture accordingly."

"The RCMP continues to monitor all campaign events to ensure the safety of all Canadians," saidCpl. Kim Chamberland.

"Public order is the responsibility of the local police of jurisdiction. Police will respect individuals'rights to freedom of expression and demonstration in a lawful manner. In the event of any unlawful acts, including public order issues, police will respond in an appropriate and professional manner in accordance with the law."

Bernier condemns violence

Many protesters inthe crowd Monday were sporting purple and waving People's Party of Canada signs.

PPC Leader Maxime Bernier condemned the gravel incident on Twitter Tuesday morning, but added that no leader made a statement when he was egged last week.

"Someone hit me with an egg last week. I note that none of the other party leaders made any statement," he said.

"Some idiot threw pebbles at Mr. Trudeau yesterday. I condemn it. Words are our weapons. But physical violence is always wrong."

WATCH |O'Toole onTrudeau protests

Singh calls gravel-throwing at Trudeau campaign stop 'horrible'

3 years ago

Duration 1:09

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks out against protesters throwing gravel at Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau.

Conservative Leader Erin O'TooleandNDP Leader Jagmeet Singh both swiftlydenounced the incident Monday night.

"We live in a great democracy, and let's act like we do," added O'Toole from Ottawa Tuesday.

While making an announcement on climate change in Toronto, Singh said he was worried about Trudeau, his family, the journaliststravelling with the campaign and party volunteers.

"I can't imagine that I'm saying this in 2021 don't throw stones at people because you disagree with them. That is basic. That should not be happening," he said.

"But these are some clearly troubled people who think it's OK to throw stones at someone."

WATCH |Singh calls gravel-throwing at Trudeau campaign stop 'horrible'

Party leaders condemn violent protests at campaign events

3 years ago

Duration 1:58

Several party leaders are speaking out as protests on the campaign trail, especially those against Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, become more violent.

The RCMP said that in 2020, it opened approximately 273 files on reports of individuals threateningcabinet ministers. Of those,197involved threats against theprime minister.

Over the first six months of this year, the RCMPlaunchedabout215 files ondirect and indirect threats madeagainst federal politicians 158 of them involving threats againstthe prime minister.

"Typically there is an uptick in threats due to government announcements, COVID restrictions and leading up to and during an election," saidChamberland.

"For security reasons, the number of threats since the beginning of the writ period will not be released at this time."

WATCH | Party leaders condemn violent protests at campaign events: