Bridgewater police investigate after man seen with Nazi flag draped over his back
NDP MP visiting Nova Scotia says there is little police can do
Police in Bridgewater are investigating after receiving complaints about a man riding around town on an e-bike with a Nazi flag draped over his back.
A video on social media shows the person riding through a mall parking lot in Bridgewater.
The 20-second video posted on social media site Reddit appears to be taken by a passenger in a car following the cyclist.
While police say they received multiple complaints and have identified the person wearing the flag, NDP MP Peter Julian says it's unclear whether there are grounds to charge the man.
He's been lobbying for legal changes to the criminal code to ban symbols of hate.
Need for stronger laws
He said incidents like this are why we need stronger laws in Canada.
"Sadly, Bridgewater is joining many other cities and towns that are discovering there is nothing that prohibits the most reprehensible display of the Nazi emblem and flags in Canada," Julian said.
"Despite the fact that it profoundly bothers Canadians to see this type of vile symbol flown with impunity right now, there's nothing that police can do."
Julian has introduced a bill in Parliament making it an offence to display visual symbols that promote or incite hatred or violence against an identifiable group.
The bill hasn't been voted on.
CBC has contacted Bridgewater police and is awaiting further information.
With files from Melissa Friedman