August 4, 2023 - (Toronto, ON) As the City of Toronto implements the first phase of its High Park car-free plan, a pro-car protest on Aug. 2 did not go well. The City is now investigating the conduct of one of its employees who was seen pushing his vehicle into a protester at High Park reports CTV and CP24.
In a video of the incident, a man is seen at the Bloor Street entrance slowly driving his vehicle into a woman, who was taking part in a counter-protest holding a sign that read “ban cars”. At one point, the driver pulled off his shirt, and got into a verbal confrontation with another protester.
“City staff were not instructed to take enforcement actions related to the gathering at High Park. Staff were expected to perform their usual duties as assigned,” reads a City of Toronto statement to CP24.
In a letter sent to the mayor, local councillor, and chief of police, lawyer and cycling advocate David Shellnutt said that a “clear message must be sent” from the city about the employee’s actions.
Read the full report here.
