Man charged after heckling Trudeau wants to run in his riding as Bloc candidate

MONTREAL — A man charged with obstructing a peace officer after he confronted Justin Trudeau in a park says he wants to run for the Bloc Quebecois against the prime minister in his Montreal riding in next year’s election.

Matthieu Brien, 31, made the announcement Wednesday outside Montreal’s courthouse where his lawyer succeeded in striking one of his bail conditions.

Brien had pleaded not guilty to the charge against him following an altercation with Trudeau during Quebec’s Fete nationale holiday weekend in June.

He confronted the prime minister as he was greeting citizens in a park in Trudeau’s Papineau riding and suggested the Canadian leader didn’t belong there.

Trudeau’s security personnel removed Brien and whatever ensued transpired in a charge of obstruction against him.

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Brien’s lawyer, Marc Michaud, succeeded in striking the bail obligation prohibiting his client from participating in political activity or being in the presence of a politician.

Brien is still not allowed to communicate directly or indirectly with Trudeau.

Michaud also said he intends to have the charge against his client dropped by arguing his charter rights had been violated.

Brien lives in Papineau and failed to get the Bloc nomination there in 2015.

He is to return to court next Feb. 7.

The Canadian Press

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