OPC
The Ottawa People’s Commission (OPC) will begin public hearings on September 21 to hear and collect stories from Centretown residents and businesses that were impacted by the convoy occupation that clogged our streets and disrupted our lives last February.
Brenda Knight, a Centretown resident and co-chair of the OPC Steering Committee, said: “We want to create a safe space for healing and for justice, where people can come forward to share their stories and offer ideas on how to ensure we never have to suffer through that again.”
First two hearings September 21 and 22
OPC’s first public hearing will take place at McNabb Community Centre, 180 Percy Street, from 2 to 4 p.m. on September 21. A second hearing is set for the following evening at Le Patro, 40 Cobourg Street in Lowertown from 7 to 9 p.m.
People who wish to make presentations for these or future hearings can register through the OPC website at opc-cpo.ca
Hearings will be chaired by four independent commissioners: Leilani Farha, an internationally renowned expert and activist on the right to housing; Alex Neve, a law professor and former head of Amnesty International; Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity; and Monia Mazigh, an author and human rights activist.
The OPC will focus on the experiences and concerns of the people who live and work in the neighbourhoods that were affected by the occupation. “Our focus isn’t the feds and we’re not interested in partisan politics,” said Knight. “We want to hear from folk who were taunted and targeted, and were failed by governments at all levels.”
The OPC is committed to creating a safe space where people are respected, supported and valued. Special efforts are being made to reach out to groups and communities who face stigma, racism, discrimination and isolation.
“We know there are still many who are traumatized from their experience of the convoy and, when we see what’s been happening at St. Brigid’s, we know we need to come together as a community to find a way forward,” said Knight.
While these initial hearings will be live and in-person, the commissioners will also be holding online hearings, community consultations and private meetings with affected residents who prefer to remain anonymous. As well, they’ll review written submissions.
Go to opc-cpo.ca to register to speak at a hearing or to send in written comments. The commission is also looking for volunteers and donors, who can contact them through the website.