Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized a group protesting coronavirus-related restrictions at Queen’s Park on Saturday, the second such event in as many weeks.
Ford said he observed the Canadian flag being held upside down at the protest, which he called “the utmost disrespect.”
“What just burns me up more than anything, more than them standing out there, is I look out the window and I see our Canadian flag being flown upside down,” Ford said a press conference.
Images posted to social media show several people holding the Canadian flag upside down at the event, which drew dozens.
Having the country’s flag upside down is used as a sign of distress, according to the federal government.
“I understand people are hurting out there. And people want to get back to work,” Ford said, adding that he knows people have the right to protest.
“But what they’re doing is putting their lives in jeopardy as far as I’m concerned with congregating side-by-side.”
Last Saturday, a similar protest was held at Queen’s Park. At the time, Ford called those in attendance a “bunch of yahoos.”
Ford said it’s up to the police and bylaw officers to ticket protesters if they are violating physical-distancing rules.
In Ontario, gatherings of more than five people are currently prohibited and many municipalities, including Toronto, have their own additional physical-distancing laws in place.
Police told Global News no tickets were handed out at Saturday’s protest. No tickets were handed out last week either.
“Don’t be flying our Canadian flag upside down. That means everything to the people of Canada and our men and women on the front lines,” Ford said.
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