Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency on Sunday in response to protests by truckers over pandemic-related mandates.
The truckers have occupied the city for 10 days and now outnumber Ottawa police, according to the Canadian capital’s mayor.
The declaration of emergency “reflects the serious danger and threat to the safety and security of residents posed by the ongoing demonstrations and highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government,” city leaders said in a press statement. The declaration will also allow “greater flexibility” in Ottawa to manage essential services and provide for first responders.
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Ottawa police relocated some protesters on Sunday with new barriers and stated they are “collecting financial, digital, vehicle registration … and other evidence that will be used in criminal prosecutions,” reported Reuters. At least seven people have been arrested and 550 tickets have been issued to Convoy protesters, according to Ottawa police. The enormous presence of truckers led local police to encourage residents to stay home during the event.
The Freedom Convoy drove up to Ottawa on Jan. 25 to protest the COVID-19 vaccine mandate’s effects on Canadian trucking. The truckers have now surrounded Parliament Hill and demand Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to end all national mandates.
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“A state of emergency recognizes the urgency of this unprecedented situation and its citywide impacts and consequences,” Kim Ayotte, the general manager of Emergency and Protective Services in Ottawa, told the Washington Examiner. “It provides the ability to deploy more resources to the emergency, including through requests for assistance to other jurisdictions or levels of government.”
The declaration does not provide the mayor with additional powers, Ayotte noted, such as invoking curfews or new police powers. But it does allow agencies to respond more efficiently if necessary. Ayotte also said that the city is monitoring this “evolving situation” and intends to support local police as necessary.
