Trucker protest in Ottawa out of control

Prime Minister and Parliament hold emergency debate

The Prime Minister has spoken. “Canadians have the right to protest, to disagree with their government, and to make their voices heard. We’ll always protect that right. But let’s be clear: They don’t have the right to blockade our economy, or our democracy, or our fellow citizens’ daily lives. It has to stop.” Justin Trudeau hadn’t been seen for several days, prompting some of his toughest critics to accuse him of hiding from the trucker protesters. He has said that he was isolating and working from home because his son tested positive for COVID. However, he has made it clear that he won’t meet with the protestors under any circumstances. Monday night he appeared in Parliament looking dapper as usual for an emergency debate on the impasse which has turned life in downtown Ottawa upside down.

What began as a protest over vaccine mandates for truckers crossing the Canada-US border has evolved into a rallying cry to end all COVID-19 mandates. Canadians from all walks of life have come out in force to show their support for the ‘Freedom Convoy 2022’ as it has rolled out across the country. Thousands have gathered at overpasses and busy intersections in major cities to cheer on trucker convoys and wave Maple Leaf flags. Call it a working-class rebellion and a renewed Canadian patriotism sparked by the trucker protest. Not everyone is happy with this particular expression of freedom and there have been counter-protests along the way. One thing is for sure, the trucker protest is a flashpoint in what is shaping up as a culture war over personal freedom vs. medical mandates. A recent Angus Reid poll shows that 54% of Canadians want all mandates dropped, a significant uptick in support for a return to normality compared to previous polls.

Ottawa’s downtown core has been bearing brunt of the occupation

The nation’s capital has become a staging ground for this showdown despite the fact that provincial governments have imposed most of the mandates. Politicians of all stripes may try to seize the moment to score political points, but it is the residents of Ottawa’s downtown core who have borne the brunt of what some are calling an occupation. The incessant honking of horns has been highly stressful for those who live and work downtown. Music, dance parties, street performers and fireworks and bouncy castles all create a carnival atmosphere attracting young people from outside the protest who party into the night. Try getting a good night’s sleep. Large crowds milling about 24/7 can create an atmosphere of fear even when there is no danger present while noisy gatherings provide a cover for illegal activity. Makeshift tents, portable saunas, and cook-outs make it clear that truckers aren’t planning to leave anytime soon. Some small businesses have had to delay reopening just when they were hoping to relaunch. Some parents haven’t been sending their kids to school feeling that it isn’t safe for them to go outside.

Now downtown residents have won a temporary reprieve from the noise. Ontario Superior Court Justice Hugh McLean has granted a 10-day injunction to prevent truckers parked on city streets in downtown Ottawa from honking their horns incessantly. McLean says the injunction is temporary because he needs to hear more evidence, but has heard enough to make this ruling. The lawsuit was filed by Ottawa resident Zexi Li on Feb. 4 and seeks damages for “trauma” allegedly caused by the honking of trucks’ horns. It specifically names four Freedom Convoy organizers — Chris Barber, Benjamin Dichter, Tamara Lich, and Patrick King — along with 60 unnamed truckers. Speaking to reporters after the ruling, Li said that she knows that not all protesters are “bad actors,” but feels that residents of Ottawa Centre can’t simply be “collateral damage.”

Arrests made, some vehicles and fuel seized, State of Emergency declared by Mayor Jim Watson

So far, the OPS has made 7 arrests, 6 for mischief, one for driving while prohibited, and issued more than 100 tickets for excessive honking, and various highway infractions and provincial offences. There are more than 60 criminal investigations underway related to the demonstration. They range from mischief, thefts, and hate crimes, to property damage. Ottawa Police are also investigating a case of arson. The OPS has issued a warning advising the public that anyone found bringing fuel to the demonstration trucks in the red zone could be subject to arrest and charges. Protesters say this tactic is inhumane and they will freeze to death without fuel. The OPS has already seized vehicles and fuel and some of the protesters appear to be decamping to other areas of Ottawa away from the downtown core.

On Sunday February 6, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency which he said “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. It also provides greater flexibility within the municipal administration to enable the City of Ottawa to manage business continuity for essential services for its residents and enables a more flexible procurement process, which could help purchase equipment required by frontline workers and first responders.”

300 RCMP officers called in to help Ottawa Police Service

The Ottawa Police Service has said it is overwhelmed and has requested more resources from the federal and provincial government. Several high-ranking Cabinet ministers including Bill Blair, President of the Queen’s Privy Council and Minister for Emergency Preparedness, Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, and Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport issued a statement on Monday, Feb. 7 on the trucker protest in Ottawa to ensure close cooperation among all levels of government to manage the growing crisis.

“We are convening a table with relevant federal and municipal partners to further strengthen our response to this situation,” it says. “The RCMP has approved successive requests from the City (of Ottawa) and OPS for additional resources.” This includes a request for more officers. To date, nearly 300 RCMP officers are under the command of the OPS – as well as tactical police troops, joint intelligence & operational teams and community liaison teams.

$10 million GoFundMe account frozen ‘Freedom Convoy 2022 becomes GoSendMe’s biggest campaign at $4.5 million

Tamara Lich is the most recognizable person associated with the protest having initially raised $10 million to support the truckers. Lately, the fitness instructor of Metis heritage has been facing increasing scrutiny since GoFundMe announced on Friday that the convoy would be cut off from the money raised because it is going towards “the promotion of violence and harassment” in contravention of GoFundMe’s terms of service. Lich has redirected supporters to the crowdfunding site GiveSendGo which said campaign organizers have given the platform “full assurance that all funds raised will go to provide humanitarian aid and legal support for the peaceful truckers and their families and their stand for freedom.” The crowdfunding site said that it does not condone violence but, “in any polarized situation, we recognize that there will be a few individuals and groups that might intentionally try to incite violence, which will be used to stain this movement by opposing groups.” Boston-based GoSendMe said that the “Freedom Convoy 2022” campaign has become its biggest campaign ever, raising more than $4.5 million US in less than 24 hours.

Protesters say, “Our departure will be based on the Prime Minister doing what is right, ending all mandates and restrictions on our freedom”

Lich and fellow convoy organizers held a press conference recently praising Ottawa residents for their support and aid to the convoy. “I want to thank the hundreds of residents of Ottawa who have stepped forward to show their support, providing accommodations, food, and just plain friendship to members of our convoy,” she said. “This love of community is what Canada is all about. Let me assure the people of Ottawa that we have no intention to stay one day longer than necessary. Our departure will be based on the prime minister doing what is right, ending all mandates and restrictions on our freedom.” She contrasted Trudeau’s intransigence on vaccine mandates with Saskatchewan’s Premier Scott Moe’s more flexible outlook. “Premier Scott Moe of Saskatchewan has taken leadership in Canada in ending restrictions and mandates in that province,” she said. “We are therefore calling on all levels of government in Canada to end all COVID mandates and restrictions. We will continue our protest until we see a clear plan for their elimination.”

by Deborah Rankin

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