Authorities are once again asking parents not to bring children and youth to downtown Ottawa as police continue the operation to clear downtown streets.
Ottawa police said officers are seeing young children being "brought to the front of the police operation."
CTV News reporters Creeson Agecoutay and Annie Bergeron-Oliver reported seeing some families near the police lines along Sparks Street Saturday afternoon.
Agecoutay said one protester told him that, "they’re here for the children."
Another family brought their children to the protest despite police demanding no children should be here. One protestor saying they’re here for the children. pic.twitter.com/6X7O4DoNJO
— Creeson Agecoutay (@CreesonCTV) February 19, 2022
The Children Aid’s Society of Ottawa issued a new statement to people in the demonstration zone.
"For any families either remaining in the downtown core or attempting to enter the protest zone, we urge you to leave immediately," the CASO said on Twitter. "The presence of children and youth within or near the zone is highly concerning."
The Emergencies Act enacted by the federal government this week includes a prohibition on bringing children to sites where the protests and blockades are happening.
Police say anyone who brings a minor to an unlawful protest site may be charged and fined up to $5,000. They could also spend up to five years in prison, according to police.
We are seeing protestors bringing their children to the unlawful protest site.
This is a reminder if you bring a minor (a person under 18) with you to an unlawful protest site you may be charged and be fined up to $5000 and potentially spend up to five years in prison.
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) February 19, 2022
Interim police chief Steve Bell said Friday that police have been working with the CAS on a plan to deal with children at the occupation downtown.
"To this point we have had no need to interact with Children’s Aid as it relates to children within the crowd," Bell said. "What I will tell you is that even through all the planning, it still shocks and surprises me that we’re seeing children put in harm’s way in the middle of a demonstration where a police operation is unfolding.
"We will continue to look after their safety and security, but we implore all the parents who have kids in there – get kids out of there, they do not need to be in the middle of this, it’s not a safe place for them."
Last week, police estimated that one in four trucks parked downtown – about 100 – had children living inside.
Our crews, myself included, haven’t seen a lot of kids, but we have spotted some families, and I saw at least one dog, near the front lines. https://t.co/r7vqlYaduu pic.twitter.com/knAj8bqz1r
— Annie Bergeron-Oliver (@AnnieClaixjmtzywreBO) February 19, 2022
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Ottawa police say children are being brought to the front of the police operation in downtown Ottawa. (Annie Bergeron-Oliver/CTV News)
