Conservative leadership front runners participate in a march against vaccine obligations

A leading candidate for the Conservative leadership race took part in a march against vaccination mandate on Thursday in Ottawa . Associate with protesters gathered in Ottawa for Canada Day

. James Top of the Army Reserve marched on Thursday in protest of vaccination obligations . Conservative leader candidate Pierre Poirievre joined him as part of a walk and starred in a video chatting online with top executives and other protesters.

"Today I walked with military veteran James Top. He traveled the country on foot for free choice," Poirievre said in a tweet. "End all obligations. Restore our freedom. Let people regain control of their lives."

Gendarmerie in February He charged Topp with two acts of order and disciplinary prejudice against comments made while wearing uniforms. Since then, Topp has led a four-month march from Vancouver to the capital.

When asked to comment on Poilievre's decision to participate in the protest, the Poilievre campaign directed CBC News to a statementmade to CTV News in March. Did.

" [Topp] insists on freedom of choice I think people should have the freedom to make their own decisions with their own bodies, so he was roaming around the country, so I greeted him, interviewed him, and I thought I'd see if he had any thoughts. Poirievre told CTV.

ProminentConservatives protest anti-vaccine missions including ToppThis isn't the first time I've met him. Last week, Conservative politician group Reslin Lewis, including leadership, met with the organizers of the Freedom Convoy that occupied Otawa in February. He accused Poilievre of supporting one of the key figures, Pat King. St also chased Poilievre over the support of conservative fleet protesters.

"Mr. .Poilievre ... supported the illegal blockade, "Charest said in the first debate. "You can't make the law, break the law."

However, in a media statement Thursday, Charest condemned the current protest against the Trudeau government.

"This latest protest is a sign of Trudeau's leadership failure," said Charest. "He continues to be more interested in wedge politics than out of this pandemic. In conclusion, as long as the protest is peaceful, Canadians have the right to express their frustration."

Topp paused the march and drove to Otawa to attend a meeting held at a government building near the Capitol. Topp said he had invited all members, but about 20 — all Conservatives — were present. A spokesperson for Candice Bergen, the interim conservative leader, said her office was aware of the incident, but did not help organize it.

The Conservative Party will release the party's membership list to its leadership campaign later on Thursday. The new Conservative leader will be announced on September 10.