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Four people were arrested for breach of the peace and later released after a fight broke out near the entrance of a hall at Mohawk College where Bernier, leader of the People’s Party of Canada, and American political commentator Dave Rubin were holding a roundtable discussion on free speech and censorship.

Hennick said police are in the midst of reviewing the behaviour of those at the protest to determine whether criminal charges need to be laid.

Bernier later posted a video of the elderly woman incident to his Twitter account saying, “These Antifa protesters are a small minority of violent thugs.”

Rubin also posted a link to the video saying, “It was an incredible night. This however, does qualify as no words…”

Of the disturbances in general, Bernier told reporters, “For me, that was the first experience and I must admit that I didn’t like it. It’s not Canadian.

“These people didn’t take time to read our platform because what they were saying, it is not who we are and who I am as a politician, so that’s too bad that they didn’t want to have any discussion.

“We cannot debate when people don’t want to look at what you’re saying in reality.”

The college has faced criticism for allowing Bernier to rent the facility, with some accusing the institution of providing a platform for hate speech.

After threats of violence, the college increased security and Rubin said he covered the extra cost so the event could go ahead.

Mohawk College’s president has said the school is bound by a “government-mandated freedom of speech policy” that requires it to provide opportunities for anyone to voice their views.

“The event in question involves a member of a federal political party that is recognized in the national discourse,” Ron McKerlie tweeted earlier this month.