The City of Toronto is investigating after a staff member was caught pushing a protester with his vehicle during a rally at High Park Wednesday evening.
A group of demonstrators were protesting at the west-end park against upcoming council-approved changes that limit car access there, and as a result restrict access for vulnerable groups. The changes are set to come into effect on Saturday, Aug. 5.
In the video, posted by CTV News’ Jon Woodward, a man is seen driving his vehicle into the park at Bloor St. W. and Colborne Lodge, where a group of demonstrators were located.
The vehicle is then seen driving slowly into a female protester standing in front of the vehicle, who was taking part in a counter-protest and holding a sign that read, “No cars is more accessible.” The vehicle continued to drive forward, pushing the protester forward as well. A protester sitting on the ground also had to move out of the way to avoid being hit by the vehicle.
Another protester eventually pulled the woman away from the vehicle, and the driver stopped his vehicle, removed his shirt and exited his vehicle to confront the protesters.
A short time later, the same driver was seen in another Twitter video saying he was a City of Toronto employee and tried to defuse the situation.
“I think you made your point, OK your voices were heard. We as city staff appreciate all opinions, and we’re going to ask now that you disperse and go home,” he said in the video, posted by Jon Woodward.
In an email statement to Now Toronto, the city confirmed the man is an employee.
“We have identified this individual as a City employee in the photo shared and are conducting an investigation to take appropriate action. However, 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,” Manager Russell Baker, Media Relations & Issues Management, wrote.
On Monday, the city began work on changing accessibility to the park, which are part of the High Park Movement Strategy. The changes include making the West Road and parts of Colborne Lodge Drive, south of Grenadier Café, car-free at all times, reducing public parking spaces within High Park, and adding dedicated bike lanes to Centre Road and Colborne Lodge Drive, among other changes.
While some Torontonians are in favour of making the park more of a car-free zone that will benefit cyclists and pedestrians, others think the changes will restrict access for vulnerable groups, like seniors and people with disabilities, while limiting access for drivers.
In response to the new changes, a group called High Park Access For All, organized Wednesday’s protest, saying the park should be accessible for all.
“We are a diverse group from the local community with serious concerns about the new change in High Park being implemented by the City of Toronto. And how they will restrict and limit vulnerable groups – seniors, people with disability, families and low-income households access to the park and how it will negatively impact all [of the] residents in the area,” the group’s poster about the protest read.
The city launched the movement strategy for High Park in 2021 with the goal to improve safety, accessibility and the park’s natural environment.
The park has been closed to visitor vehicles on weekends and holidays since March 2020. However, city council endorsed the continued closure of the park at its last meeting, and a long-term strategy to close the entire park to vehicles.
