Maxime Bernier’s People’s Party of Canada rallies close to 300 people in Gage Park

An election rally for People's Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier at Gage Park Thursday attracted close to 300 people - but this time, it went ahead peacefully.

The crowd of mostly maskless party supporters chanted freedom" and roared when the Tory-turned-PPC leader promised to end lockdowns," ban COVID vaccine mandates and defund the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

At least 10 Hamilton police officers patrolled the outskirts of the rally on foot, horses and bicycles - but unlike an infamous 2019 visit to Mohawk College that resulted in scuffles and four arrests, there were no clashes between PPC supporters and protesters this time.

During the previous campaign, outraged protesters decried the party's call to end mass immigration" and accused the PPC of courting far right and white nationalist supporters.

Some of those fringe hate groups are now urging members to vote PPC in 2021, but the party maintains it has nothing to do with extremists."

In this election, Bernier is notable for opposing public health COVID masking and vaccine mandates as well as rejecting climate science.

Largely viewed as a fringe party in 2019, the PPC has seen a surge in support in recent polls, particularly in B.C. and Ontario, fuelling speculation about the party playing spoiler for the Conservatives.

More to come.

Matthew Van Dongen is a Hamilton-based reporter covering transportation for The Spectator. Reach him via email: mvandongen@thespec.com