The leader of the People's Party of Canada decided not to take part in a far-right demonstration against a U.N. migration agreement in Ottawa on Saturday morning.
An organizer for Maxime Bernier had previously informed La Meute, which took part in the protest, that the MP would be present and deliver an address. But a spokesperson for the Quebec-based far-right group informed the Journal de Montreal that Bernier changed his mind in light of the anti-immigrant organizations that were taking part.
The MP for Beauce and onetime Conservative leadership contender has been an outspoken opponent of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, which is set to be signed in Marrakech, Morocco next week.
Bernier is sponsoring a petition -- which has been signed by nearly 50,000 voters -- against the Liberal government's plans to sign the agreement.
In all, several hundred were present on the grounds of Parliament Hill for the protest, though Bernier was not among them.