The group with ties to the Freedom Parade first raised eyebrows in the neighborhood when it hung large banners with white tree insignia and painted the heritage building’s doors red. It has been occupying the deconsecrated church for months, as tenants and according to one of the group’s leaders as potential owners through a conditional sale agreement. That changed Wednesday when the sale of the building fell through and eviction notices were posted announcing the lease was terminated due to $10,000 in unpaid rent and failure to provide $5 million in liability insurance. The building has now been listed for sale, but TUPC members show no signs of letting up. A bailiff hired by the current owners was first seen changing the locks on Wednesday and has since been making periodic appearances on St. Patrick 310. The locks were changed at the Rectory Art House next door on Thursday. William Komer, one of the directors of United People of Canada, says there were any violations before TUPC moved in (Francis Ferland/CBC) These written notices also state that TUPC is in violation of the Ontario Heritage Act for altering the appearance of the sites without the written approval of the Ontario Heritage Foundation, as well as the Ontario Building Code Act “for failing to obtain necessary building permits and approvals works,” in note. One of the main organizers and directors of TUPC, William Komer, says this is the latest tactic by the owners of St. Brigid to “illegally expel” the group. “Is that stuff that’s posted there their stuff that they have to comply with or is it something that they’re trying to pin on us? I don’t know. Right. But I do know that we haven’t done any substantial renovations,” Komer said. It says any violations existed before TUPC came in. “We didn’t do anything wrong. We’re in violation of any business licenses, anything like that, any food service.” “We have met all of our rental obligations,” Comer told CBC News, but did not provide proof, citing privacy concerns.
The cultural heritage of St. Brigid includes the interior
The St. Brigid’s is unusual in its heritage status because the designation includes a requirement to protect its interior, according to Heritage Ottawa, a volunteer group that supports historic buildings in the nation’s capital. These interior elements include wainscotting, pews and confessionals. Heritage Ottawa wrote a letter to the city asking it to ensure the building’s “special character-defining elements” are preserved. “Can you please assure us that the city will strictly enforce the protection of the cultural heritage that this property provides and how it intends to do that?” the letter reads. Several vehicles bearing Freedom Convoy-related stickers remained in the St. Louis parking lot. Brigid’s Church on Wednesday night after an apparent eviction attempt earlier in the evening. (Falice Chin/CBC) The CBC toured the building on Friday and noticed no substantial changes inside, although exterior doors have been painted red — with the owners’ permission, Komer says — and a damaged basement concrete floor appears to have been repaired. The property would require a permit before undergoing any changes to the interior or exterior of the building — but not required to paint the doors, according to the city. “I have a really good passion for historic properties and restoration and preservation and things like that,” Comer said. “I have a lot of experience working in heritage properties and go back up to ten years at this point.”
TUPC has shown a willingness to make the required repairs
The property is subject to a pending order — issued in March — to repair broken windows and address mold issues in the east tower. Roger Chapman, the city’s director of bylaws and regulatory services, said in a statement that the changes needed to be made to preserve the property’s heritage features. Bylaw met with TUPC members on Monday when they were set to take ownership of the building to explain the need for the repairs, Chapman wrote. As the order was newly registered on the title, Chapman said any future owner of the property would have to comply. The group “expressed its intention to comply with all city regulations and correct the deficiencies listed in the order,” he wrote.
