NDP leader Jagmeet Singh became the target of insults after leaving a provincial election rally in Peterborough.
Singh was in the area to promote Peterborough-Kawartha NDP candidate Jen Deck.
A crowd of protesters awaiting Singh in the street shouted expletives at him as he walked toward his SUV.
He remained calm, even waving at supporters as his vehicle drove off.
The Peterborough police did not attend the scene as no call for assistance had been made to them by Singh’s team. In fact, police tweeted that they were not aware he would be in the city.
At no point did protestors appear to be a physical threat to the leader or his supporters.
Singh released a statement following the incident saying the incident did not represent Peterborough or its citizens.
The leader of the Ontario NDP, Andrea Horwath, said Singh handled the situation with “grace.”
In response to Singh’s statement, PC candidate Dave Smith invited Singh and his family over for a BBQ.
A few familiar names emerged when the story started picking up steam: Roy Asselstine and Nicole Comber, who own a local restaurant called Peterburgers.
Peterburgers made headlines in 2021 when its owners refused to shut down their business at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as required by the government.
In the end, Peterborough Public Health forced the closure of the restaurant, locking its owners out. Since its reopening, Peterburgers has maintained a loyal following of anti-lockdown supporters.
The pair posted a video on social media today in which they explain that while they were in attendance, no one from Hold Fast used vulgar language or gestures towards Singh.
Assselstine acknowledged he called Singh a “traitor,” but vowed that his tone would be softening to appeal to more people.
Let’s hope they keep their word.
