People's Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier speaks to a crowd in Regina's Victoria Park on May 8, 2021. (Dominick Lucyk/980 CJME)

By CJME News

Bernier speaks at ‘freedom rally,’ violates public health rules

May 8, 2021 | 5:35 PM

Whenever the next federal election comes up, Maxime Bernier of the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) aims to run for prime minister.

On Saturday afternoon, he spoke to a packed-together, maskless crowd in Regina’s Victoria Park, breaking public health rules and encouraging others to do the same.

It was the latest of what have become weekly rallies at the park by anti-mask protesters.

A significant crowd was standing close together in front of the war memorial, paying no attention to distance.

Bernier was one of the multiple speakers at the event. When reporters spoke to him before he took the stage, he defended his actions.

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When asked how he would feel if this rally led to more infections and possibly hospitalizations or deaths, which has been a risk in Saskatchewan before, he shrugged it off.

“I’m not responsible, you know? I think it’s important to be here today,” Bernier said. “The risk to spread COVID outside is almost not existing right now.”

He also defended breaking public health measures.

“There is no law. It’s a decree … We are in a supposed emergency time, but an emergency for more than 13 months? It’s not an emergency anymore … We’re not breaking a law,” he claimed.

Police had a close eye on the rally.

There were officers staked out in cruisers on the streets surrounding the park. Officers on foot also kept their distance from the crowd and took photos of the event.

This comes two weeks after a similar protest took place in the same area.

More than a dozen tickets were issued afterwards, and police are still looking for help to identify a group that swept through the Cornwall Centre shortly after.

Bernier is planning on speaking at a similar event in Saskatoon Sunday.