The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Tuesday that they had “worked with demonstrators at Emerson’s last major blockade” and were expecting their departure Wednesday.
However, progress has been made in removing the border blocksades.
He said, “Since the beginning of this demonstration has been, I have done every possible to keep this City safe and put an Ende to this unforeseeable and unprecedented crisis.”
Sloly had previously pointed out that enforcement during demonstrations is complex and delicate because of the presence of families within the crowd. According to the chief, he didn’t have sufficient resources to handle such large protests.
Diane Deans, Ottawa Police Services Board Chair, thanked the former chief of police for his service. She opened Tuesday’s meeting by saying that authorities have so far been unable to bring peace in the city.
Deans said that the OPS (Ottawa Police Service), was unable to enforce our laws properly and residents are still terrorized. He added that “I have watched in amazement as this carnival has been allowed to go on.”
Some measures are easier than others
The government stated that four out of five Canadians have been fully vaccinated. Nearly 90% of Canada’s truckers have also been vaccinated and are eligible to cross the border.
Although there is no indication that the trucker vaccination mandate will be removed, Covid-19 safety modifications were made this week. Officials quickly pointed out that the changes were not due to protests but to decreased Covid-19 cases as well as high vaccination rates.
“I am pleased to announce these changes today as many of you are looking forward to living without restrictions.” Jean-Yves Duclos Federal Minister of Health said, “But, we must still exercise prudence.” “Let me make it clear: We are still fighting the virus.
According to the British Columbia government, restaurants, nightclubs, fitness centers and movie theatres will return to full capacity by Thursday.
Premier Doug Ford announced Monday that Ontario would drop its mandatory vaccine passport requirements and indoor capacity limits starting March 1, if Covid-19 hospitalization rates improve. He stated that the masking requirements would remain in place for “just slightly longer.”
Ford stated that Ford was clear in his statement: “Let me make it very clear, we are moving in this direction simply because it is safe to do so.” “Today’s announcement does not reflect what’s going on in Ottawa or Windsor. It is despite it.”
Canada and US governments coordinate on protests
Mendicino stated, “The United States monitors carefully the blockades against Canada and we have agreed that we could continue to exchange information and promote the very close cooperation that exists between our CBSA and Customs and Border Patrol so that it can identify any potential persons who may be trying to cross border to advance illegal blockades.”
Additionally, there have been financial consequences.
Although the 1988 law can temporarily suspend citizens’ right to free movement and assembly, Trudeau warned at a news conference that “we are not preventing people exercising their right to protest legally.” Trudeau stated that he would not use the military to enforce the provisions of the act.
Trudeau stated that “this law is about keeping Canadians secure, protecting their jobs, and restoring faith and trust in our institutions,” adding that it will be geographically and practically limited.
CNN’s Paula Newton and Jenn Selva, Kelly McCleary and Holly Yan contributed to this report.