As the occupation of downtown Ottawa by protesters affiliated with the "Freedom Convoy" enters its 13th day, police continue to hand out tickets and make arrests, while protesters remain dug-in and may be expanding to new parts of the city.
A few trucks could be seen parked at the parking lot of a federal government complex near Carleton University. City councillor Riley Brockington said he learned Wednesday morning that police designated the area for overflow vehicles.
"This is in the Confederation Heights Govt. Complex," he tweeted. "Learned this morning that it ‘was granted for overflow vehicles at the direction of the Ottawa Police Service to alleviate congestion in the downtown core.’ Zero advance outreach with myself or Coun. Menard."
Speaking to city council Wednesday morning, city manager Steve Kanellakos said police made the decision to have vehicles and trucks parked in the parking lot at 1500 Bronson Ave. rather than on residential streets.
"They asked the federal government, who owns the property, to allow some vehicles to park there," Kanellakos said.
He added there were no other confirmed encampments. He said one on Metcalfe Street was dismantled without issue.
Brockington asked Kanellakos why he was not informed. Kanellakos said it’s a police decision. No representative from the Ottawa Police Service was available to speak to council as of late Wednesday morning.
"The police direct where the vehicles go and the police manager the logistics of where those vehicles go," Kanellakos said. "They obviously made a decision to have them on 1500 Bronson instead of neighbouring streets, but that’s a question to be directed to the police."
Brockington called the use of the land for the truckers "disappointing."
"I’m surprised the federal government would say yes to this, that they would want that within some pretty high security buildings in this immediate vicinity in Confederation Heights," Brockington said.
Kanellakos said many of the trucks were "overflow from the Coventry Road site."
Emergency and protective services manager Kim Ayotte said 154 bylaw tickets were issued in the "red zone" on Tuesday. No vehicles were towed Tuesday, but he said 29 have been towed away since the start of the protest.
UNIONS CALL FOR END TO OCCUPATION
A statement from the Canadian Labour Congress is calling for an end to the occupation of downtown Ottawa.
"Canada’s unions have fought for generations for the right to protest. This is a cornerstone of our democratic system. But what we have witnessed on the streets of Canada’s capital over the past 13 days is something different altogether. This is not a protest, it is an occupation by an angry mob trying to disguise itself as a peaceful protest," the CLC said.
The news release, identified as a "joint statement from Canada’s unions", condemns the harassment of workers and residents, the hateful messages and symbols witnessed, and statements by the organizers.
"The leaders of this occupation include people who espoused Islamophobic, Anti-Semitic and racist hate on social media, organizers of the notorious far-right yellow vest protests, and people spreading extreme conspiracy theories and calls for violence. This is an attack on all of Canada and not just the people of Ottawa."
The CLC is calling on leaders from all levels of government to end the occupation.
"Over the past 13 days, we have seen an unacceptable lack of leadership from those charged with maintaining the peace and defending public safety. Once this situation has been resolved, Canada’s unions believe it is vital that there be a full investigation into the response by all levels of government to this occupation," the CLC said. "Canada’s unions call on the federal and provincial governments to work together and quickly deliver urgently needed direct supports to the workers and businesses affected."
CONCERNS FOR CHILDREN IN TRUCKS
Ottawa police said Tuesday that several factors are affecting their enforcement tactics, including the presence of children in about a quarter of the more than 400 trucks parked in the core and the fact that several of the vehicles entrenched on downtown streets have been immobilized.
“It’s something that greatly concerns us,” Deputy Police Chief Steve Bell said, when it comes to children living in trucks. “From the risk of carbon monoxide and fumes, the noise levels … we’re concerned about cold, we’re concerned about access to sanitation, the ability to shower. We’re not at the stage of looking to do any sort of enforcement activity around that. We’ll rely on the Children’s Aid Society to give us guidance around that.”
In a news release Wednesday, police said if there are concerns about the safety or maltreatment of a child or youth in Ottawa, residents should call the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa (CASO) at 613-747-7800, or email [email protected].
"Police have a role to play in observing any potential dangers and will report them immediately to CASO. In matters that involve a child or youth who is in the protest area, CASO will work closely with the OPS to respond to the concern. Child and youth wellbeing and safety is top of mind for CASO," the police release said.
Police say they’ve made 23 arrests, handed out 1,300 tickets, and have 85 active criminal investigation underway in response to the ongoing occupation. Police have also said they would be enforcing a court-ordered injunction to stop the use of air horns and train horns on the trucks. Those found violating the order could be charged with contempt, and may face up to two years in prison if convicted.
While demonstrators on the ground say they have enough fuel to last for days, efforts continue to bring in more, in defiance of poxjmtzywlice orders. Protesters have taken to carrying empty jerry cans or containers of water past police, while hiding their actual canisters of fuel in garbage bags or suitcases.
While the protest has been billed as an attempt to end public health measures intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19, organizers made statements Monday night about a desire to form a coalition with opposition parties in the House of Commons to unseat the governing Liberals, which they cannot do.
A proposed "citizens’ coalition" made up of members of the protest, the Canadian Senate and the Governor General was part of the "memorandum of understanding" (MOU) organizers had posted on their website prior to the protest beginning. The MOU was taken down Tuesday, with organizers saying it "does not reflect the spirit and intent" of the movement.
Police and the city continue to advise residents to avoid the downtown core, if possible. Several businesses, including the Rideau Centre, remain closed and OC Transpo routes through the core are detoured. The city remains under a state of emergency.
RELATED IMAGESview larger image
Demonstrators with the “Freedom Convoy” protest in downtown Ottawa were given space in a parking lot on Bronson Avenue to keep them from parking on residential streets, Ottawa’s city manager said Wednesday.
Signs sit on a barricade in front of parked vehicles as part of the trucker protest, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 in Ottawa’s downtown core. (Adrian Wyld/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
