OTTAWA, ONTARIO — Ottawa police sent their sternest warning yet Wednesday to truckers camped out in the Canadian capital, saying those who continue to block streets could be arrested, fined, or have their vehicles confiscated.
“It is a criminal offense to obstruct, interrupt, or interfere with the lawful use, enjoyment, or operation of property,” the police said in a press release.
Clogging up the main arteries leading into the city falls under the mischief to property offense. If convicted, the truckers could be charged without a warrant and have their vehicles detained. If the demonstrators are found guilty, their trucks would be forfeited for good, and they may also be prohibited from legally crossing the border into the United States for work.
The warning came after Ottawa’s mayor said the city could now issue fines of up to $1,000 for certain offenses.
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Mayor Jim Watson also said he would request a larger police presence before the weekend as Ottawa braces for another round of large-scale demonstrations.
For the past 13 days, Ottawa has been a parking lot for 400 heavy-duty trucks, pickups, and other vehicles driven by people who say they are frustrated by the country’s COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates, and they are demanding change. The protesters have vowed not to leave until their demands have been met.
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Watson declared a state of emergency Sunday. As of Wednesday, Ottawa police said they had made 23 arrests and issued 1,300 fines for violations such as excessive horn honking, the use of fireworks, and the public consumption of alcohol. Police have also confiscated hundreds of gallons of diesel collected by protesters.
