The United People of Canada (also known as TUPOC and TUPC) is a Canadian
not-for-profit
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
organisation, based in
London, Ontario
London (pronounced ) is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada, along the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor. The city had a population of 422,324 according to the 2021 Canadian census. London is at the confluence of the Thames River, approximate ...
.
TUPOC started the process of buying
Saint Brigid's Church in the
Lower Town neighbourhood of
Ottawa
Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core ...
in July 2022, launched its own private security force shortly thereafter, and was served an eviction notice in August 2022 after community objections, failing to pay the rent, failing to provide insurance and the sale of the building falling through.
Organization
The group is partly funded by investment adviser, financial planner, and owner of Planmar Financial Corp,
Tony Cuzzocrea.
The organisation's directors are
William Komer
William Komer (born 1988 or 1989) was a Canadian businessman and is a director and the chair of The United People of Canada organization.
Early life and education
Komer studied computer science at the University of Western Ontario.
Career
...
, Kimberly Ward and Diane Nolan.
The organisation is a not-for-profit
and describes itself as a "social enterprise" and as a "diverse, intergenerational fraternal organisation".
The organisation is also known by its acronym TUPOC, and occasionally as TUPC. It is based in London, Ontario.
Reception by community
The organisation's attempted purchase of St Brigid's church was controversial in the community. Many residents objected to the support the organisation voiced for the
2022 Trucker Convoy protest in Ottawa. The organisation denies any connection with the convoy. The refusal of the group to vacate the church led to small, localised protests in the area, as well as small clashes between the TUPOC organisation and protesters. TUPOC organisers on several occasions used
water guns on journalists and protesters. Local residents also alleged harassment from the organisation while they were based out of the building. The organisation frequently made threats of
private prosecution A private prosecution is a criminal law, criminal proceeding initiated by an individual private citizen or private organisation (such as a prosecution association) instead of by a public prosecutor who represents the State (polity), state. Private p ...
against individuals it felt committed crimes against the organisation. TUPOC organisers claimed alleged police discrimination as the reason no protesters had been charged criminally, thought complaints made of this nature against police were dismissed. As of 2022, no prosecutions by the organisation have resulted in charges.
History
The organisation occupied and started the process purchasing
Saint Brigid's Church in July 2022,
converting it into what it called an "embassy".
The historical building, a former Roman Catholic church in Ottawa’s
Lower Town was deconsecrated in 2006 and sold. The new owners established it as a community centre before its planned sale to TUPOC in 2022.
TUPOC director William Komer stated that the organisation plans to buy more former churches and schools.
The conditional offer to buy the church subsequently fell though.
Responding to press enquiries, Komer also stated that the organisation was distinct from the organisers of the
Canada convoy protest
A series of protests and blockades in Canada against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions, called the Freedom Convoy (french: Convoi de la liberté, links=no) by organizers, began in early 2022. The initial convoy movement was created t ...
.
The organisation shared its plans to create a cafe, a co-working space, and a stage for musical performances and events.
After reports of the theft of the organisation's banner and flags, the addition of graffiti, and the receipt of death threats towards members, the organisation created a private security force in August 2022.
The same month, there was an online petition and poster campaign in Ottawa, objecting to the group's planned purchase of Saint Brigid's Church.
After accumulating $10,000 of rent arrears and failing to provide proof of liability insurance, TUPOC was served an eviction notice on August 17, 2022 with bailiffs changing the locks on the 18th.
Residents protested TUPOC's ongoing occupation of the church on August 21, 2022. On September 23, 2022, the
Ontario Superior Court of Justice
The Superior Court of Justice (French: ''Cour supérieure de justice'') is a superior court in Ontario. The Court sits in 52 locations across the province, including 17 Family Court locations, and consists of over 300 federally appointed judges.
...
ruled that TUPOC had materially breached the sale agreement by failing to make required payments despite two extensions, granted the eviction application, and awarded $53,000 in damages to the owners.
TUPOC appealed the court's decision in May 2023 and the appeal was dismissed June 5, 2023. A panel of judges in Ontario's Divisional Court unanimously agreed that there were "a number of problems" with TUPOC's appeal, including misreading sections of the Commercial Tenancies Act which their case depended on.
References
{{Authority control
External links
Official website
Organizations established in 2022
Organizations based in London, Ontario
Non-profit organizations based in Ontario
Occupations (protest)
Canada convoy protest