Canadian Tire says they ‘don’t condone’ anti-Trudeau protests like one outside Oakville store

A few days after an anti-Trudeau rally was held in a parking lot at one of their Oakville stores, Canadian Tire is making it clear they have nothing to do with the protest.

The organized gatherings against the prime minister and his government have been taking place in Canadian Tire parking lots across the country and questions were raised about whether the company endorsed the controversial rallies.

Especially after online promotions of the event appeared with an unauthorized use of the Canadian Tire logo.

“Canadian Tire is not affiliated with this event and permission for use of the parking lot for this activity has not been granted,” the company tweeted ahead of the planned “party” at their 2510 Hyde Park Gate location in east Oakville last Saturday (May 13).

Still, the event went on as planned.

“Canadian Tire and our Associate Dealers do not condone the anti-Trudeau protests happening in some of our store parking lots,” read the May 14 tweet.

“Use of our logo, and unauthorized rallies or protests in our stores or parking lots are strictly prohibited.

The rally, which Halton Regional Police say drew around 150 people, led a Montana’s BBQ & Bar in the same location to close for that evening.

“Due to a large unsanctioned gathering nearby, our Oakville location made the decision to close early this evening out of concern for the safety of our guests and teammates,” Montana’s management wrote in a message left taped to its front doors.

Canadian Tire took to Twitter again this week to express they are taking the matter “seriously.”

Still, another Anti-Trudeau gathering is being planned and promoted on Twitter for a Canadian Tire parking lot in Cornwall on June 10.

“We are taking this matter seriously and doing everything possible to enforce our rights as private property owners including working with local law enforcement to pursue prosecution as appropriate,” Canadian Tire said on Twitter.

“Our stores are a place of business, and we are taking all the steps within our means to ensure the safety and security of our customers and store staff.”

At the rally in Oakville, videos on Twitter and Facebook showed scenes of people dancing to music, waving flags and carrying around signs with profane language aimed at the Canadian Prime Minister and members of the Liberal Party.

Halton police were on the scene to monitor the event, but did not interfere.

At a similar “unsanctioned” rally held the week before (May 6) in Barrie at the Bayfield Mall parking lot in front of the Canadian Tire, police laid just over two dozen highway traffic act charges and seized one vehicle for stunt driving for something done on Bayfield Street.