The group is known as The United People of Canada, a self-proclaimed federal “not-for-profit social enterprise organization.” Corporate filings show three members on the group’s board: Kimberley Ward, William Komer and Diane Nolan. Social media posts indicate that all three have close ties to the “Freedom Pact” occupation. Ward previously told CTV News that she is an adviser to Tamara Lich and gave interviews to several media outlets in March when Lich was initially released on bail, saying at the time “she’s happy, everybody’s happy, we did it.” Ward and Komer have been seen in several photos on social media with Lich’s husband, Dwayne Lich, who has also been prominently posting about the new organization, since the spring. For her part, Nolan participated in the takeover, live streaming from the center’s core multiple times throughout. In a live stream on January 30, Nolan appears in Parliament and can be heard saying: “Wow, it’s real. Enough is enough, we stand for freedom, we stand for what God intended for this country from the beginning.” Lowertown residents say they are concerned about the group’s appearance at the church and plan to set up what TUPC calls “The Embassy.” a downtown location described by the organization’s social media as a “People’s Forum, where all voices have the opportunity to be heard, no matter how specialized their thought, opinion, expression or belief.” “I heard it’s a headquarters, an embassy, an office, something like that. That’s the part that makes me a little unsure,” said Mohamed Elmekki. City officials and community organizations in the area say they have been inundated with residents concerned about the use of the space. “We’ve looked online at who the group is, we’ve tried to find out what their goals are, so we’re concerned, we’re not terrified, but we’re actually on a mission right now, just trying to get a little more information,” said Sylvie Bingras, President of Lowertown Community Association. The heritage listed building is privately owned and currently listed for sale at $5.95 million. In an email, Komer told CTV News that the group plans to “rehabilitate and adaptively reuse surplus and unused institutional properties into vibrant community spaces.” CTV News reached out to the property owner to inquire about the potential sale, but did not receive a response by deadline. Sources tell CTV News there has been interest from TUPC in the property. Neighbors say they worry the groups’ links to the Freedom movement could reignite tensions over the convoy occupation. “It’s not a good feeling, not good memories. It was really scary for a lot of people,” said Lise Letellier, who walks by the church almost every day. “We’re still very fragile in the sense that we went through a very difficult time last February, a lot of our residents had a very difficult time – I have sons who live in Lowertown who were harassed, bullied,” Bingras said. “I’m in a very difficult position saying this is a private property, but we’re here from the city’s point of view, we have to maintain public safety and we have to be accountable and responsible to the concerns of the residents,” said Councilman Rideau- Vanier. Mathieu Fleury said. CTV News reached out to each of the directors of The United People of Canada for an interview, but did not receive a response by deadline. In an email, Komer wrote “it is unfortunate that our social enterprise organization … has been subjected to such hateful, untrue and defamatory statements circulating on social media recently.” Komer did not elaborate on which statements about the team he believed were untrue.
