Ottawa police hire Liberals' go-to PR firm Navigator to develop strategy for curbing free speech

State Media: "Police chief Peter Sloly's office confirmed by email that Navigator was hired last weekend to "assist the Ottawa Police Service and Ottawa Police Services Board with communication/community engagement support on the first weekend of the demonstrations."

"The full costs of the services aren't known yet, but according to the statement, taxpayers are paying Navigator on what's being described as a "fee-for-service basis," with "an upside limit" of $50,000 to $75,000.

"There was no competitive bid for the communications work because, according to police, the contract is within the service's sole-source guidelines for special events."