The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has some questions to answer after a video showed members of Deputy Prime Minister Chrysta Freeland’s security detail roughly arresting Rebel News journalist David Menzies after he attempted to ask Freeland questions. The incident occurred on Monday in Richmond Hills, Ontario outside of an event honoring the victims of Flight PS752, which was shot down by the Iranian military.
Video of the incident, taken by Rebel News employee Lincoln Jay, shows Menzies attempting to ask Freeland why the Canadian government didn’t consider Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp a terrorist group when, out of nowhere, he was roughly apprehended by a plain-clothed man who told him he was under arrest for “assault.”
The video shows no evidence of any “assault” committed by Menzies.
Menzies repeatedly asked the officer for his name and badge number, which the officer refused to provide. Later, another officer told Menzies that he had been “very aggressive,” to which Menzies replied, “You mean I was asking questions aggressively?”
Freeland and her aide were untouched and simply sidestepped the entire incident. Despite the “assault” claim, Menzies was not charged with any crime. He was later released by the York Regional Police.
Rebel News founder Ezra Levant promised lawsuits against the RCMP, Freeland, and York Regional Police.
“The police lied about the assault. They’re the ones who assaulted him,” an outraged Levant wrote in a Rebel News op-ed. “They obviously knew what they were doing was wrong, because the cop who attacked David refused to identify himself — David asked multiple times for a name and badge number, which they are obligated to provide.”
“The Liberals really do act like dictators. And the shame of it is too many police are willing to go along with it,” Levant continued. “It’s deeply disappointing to see how easily the police lied about what happened, all to please their Liberal masters. But the video doesn’t lie.”
The RCMP says they are “looking into” the incident.
“RCMP protective policing resources were involved in an incident while deployed on a protective operation,” said RCMP spokesperson Kim Chamberland. “The RCMP is looking into the incident and the actions of all parties involved. No further comment is available at this time.”
Canada’s Conservative Party, which stands in opposition to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Freeland, is demanding answers for what some are calling an “assault.”
“This assault on a journalist and egregious attack on press freedom in Canada has been viewed by millions online, has been rightly condemned by individuals of all political stripes and the independent press gallery,” wrote MP Marilyn Gladu. “The committee on Canadian Heritage has a duty and responsibility to address press freedom and free expression, especially when it comes under attack.”
Menzies appeared with popular podcaster Viva Frei on Tuesday night, giving his first-hand account of the incident.
“I felt him before I saw him, Menzies told Frei. “I think this is a despicable assault, not just on David Menzies or Rebel News, but on freedom of the press.”
Both Menzies and Levant have stated that they think one of the officers involved in the January 8 assault may have assaulted Menzies previously, specifically at a December 2021 fundraising event where Menzies was stationed outside, waiting to ask Trudeau a question about the hypocrisy of holding a fundraising event at the same time he was advising Canadians not to hold Christmas celebrations due to Covid-19.
Menzies believes that there is no choice but to sue the RCMP in order to stand up for freedom of the press.
“We have to,” Menzies said. “This is what happens in banana republics when it comes to journalism.”
“We have to take a stance with this because it’s so egregious and outrageous that it can’t be tolerated.”
