Protesters occupying Canada’s capital of Ottawa in opposition to coronavirus mandates are fighting the results of the country’s last federal election, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday.
The reference to the September election, during which Trudeau’s Liberal Party earned enough support to form another minority government, was made after the prime minister was asked if he would consider negotiating with the protesters to get them to leave.
“That is the decision Canadians took in the last election, by voting for parties that were supporting those mandates,” Trudeau said during a virtual news conference, according to CBC.
“So having a group of people who disagree with the outcome of an election, who want to go a different way and bring in an alternative government, is a nonstarter in a responsible democracy,” he added.
TRUCKER PROTEST MAY WARRANT MILITARY INTERVENTION, OTTAWA POLICE CHIEF SAYS
The protest started as a rally against the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers but has since grown to include demonstrations against all sorts of health restrictions meant to stop the spread of COVID-19. Trucks brought into the capital city have been blocking roads and disrupting everyday life while demonstrators continue to create a fracas by honking their horns.
Officials are considering a range of options, even as lingering demonstrators buckle down for the long haul, but Trudeau noted that military intervention is not needed right now despite the suggestion by Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly on Wednesday.
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“One has to be very, very cautious before deploying military forces in situations engaging Canadians. It is not something that anyone should enter in lightly,” Trudeau said Thursday.
He added, “But as of now, there have been no requests, and that is not in the cards right now.”
