TORONTO, Ont. – The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) claims the RCMP forced a plane to land in Gatineau Saturday, because it was carrying a banner advertising for “StephenHarperHatesUs.ca.”

The RCMP confirmed they did speak with the pilot, as Prime Minister Stephen Harper is their client and they have to protect his security.

The RCMP did deny the allegation that they forced the plane to land however, saying they don’t have the authority to do that.

For the past two weeks the union has been flying the banner over various festivals in Montreal, as well as several Quebec communities.
    
On Saturday things changed, however, when PSAC says the plane was pulled down and pilot was ‘interrogated.’

Regional Executive Vice President Larry Rosseau says the plane had only been in the air for an hour-and-a-half when it was forced back to the Tarmac, where he alleges RCMP were waiting.

Rosseau claims he was told the pilot had flown into a restricted zone, and then was later told that they were investigating for security reasons. He says he doesn’t buy that explanation.

“I really, really question that since at no time had the plane violated airspace, I think this was more about the message and taking down the message, because the message maybe hurt the prime minister politically,” Rosseau said.