Ottawans bracing as protest numbers expected to swell this weekend
Police say military aid, court order might be needed to end demonstration
People who live in downtown Ottawa are bracing as anearly week-long protest against COVID-19 public health mandateslooks poised to continue, with the police chief concerned that policing alone may not end the "intolerable" and "unprecedented" demonstration.
The ongoing andvolatileprotesthasspurred residents to make their own stand at the Ottawa Police Service'sheadquarters on Elgin Street.
Rhys McGaw, a downtown resident, and others gathered for a second night on Wednesday to object to what they view as inaction by police.
"In my neighbourhood, on my street, down the street, in the stores of Centretown or Lowertown that's where people are just running amok," McGaw said.
"They're looking for a fight. They're drunk. They're belligerent. They're aggressive."
McGaw said he doesn't want to be harassed for wearing a mask and feels those flouting public health regulations are dangerous for doing so.
City councillors brought the anguish many residents are feeling to police during aWednesday afternoon briefing.
"I'm sorry for the living hell that you're enduring," said Gloucester-SouthgateCoun. Diane Deans, chair of the Ottawa Police Services Board, to residents.
"We live in the nation's capital. We expect protests and demonstrations, but we don't expect this."
A news release from senior convoy leaders saidprotesters empathized with localresidents, but theyplan to remain inOttawa "for as long as it takes."
Mayor Jim Watson said that acknowledgement "ringshollow," and that residents have been held "hostage in their own homes."
Later on Twitter, he went further byasking Saskatchewan politicians, including former Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer, to apologize for supporting the "illegal action" that's caused hardship to Ottawans.
This is an absolute disgrace that you would come out & praise this illegal action that has caused stress and hardship to residents who have been putting up with horns blasting throughout the night and residents harassed for wearing a mask & businesses forced to close. Apologize https://t.co/LqErhdndhp
—@JimWatsonOttawaPolice considering all options to end protest
Trish Ferguson, acting deputy chief for the police force, saidseveral hundred trucks are still in the city,and the protesters who remain are a highly volatile group.
The crowd is smaller than the thousands estimated on Saturday, butpolice intelligence suggests numbers areexpected to swell this coming weekend.
On Wednesday, Chief Peter Sloly said policing alone might not be enough to end the protest.
"This is a national issue, not an Ottawa issue," Sloly said."I am increasingly concerned there is no policing solution to this."
Sloly said options being considered include requesting military aid, negotiation, a political response, a court injunction or the forced removal of protesters. But all approaches come with significant concerns, he said,including rioting, injury and death.
Residents downtown have been abandoned during a national crisis and an occupation of our city.- Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney
"This demonstration has been intolerable, unprecedented. The range of illegal, dangerous and unacceptable activities is beyond the ability to list," he said.
Bringing in the military would come with its own"massive risks," Sloly said. He said he was aware of only two such military interventions in the past hundred years:theOka Crisis in 1990 and the OctoberCrisis in 1970that involved attacks by theFront de libration du Qubec(FLQ).
"I don't have a singular mandate in this city, this province or this country, to negotiate the end to any demonstration," Sloly said. "There always needs to be an element outside of the police for any truly successful end to any demonstration, particularly one of this size."
Daniel Minden, a spokesperson for the Minister of National Defence, told CBCthe Canadian Armed Forces are not currently involved in law enforcement and have no plans to be.
The protest has involved people across the country, as well as fromother countries, who are frustrated with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic from all levels of government.
Thelonger thedemonstration persists, the more the risks will increase, said Sloly.
Butclearing protesters outcomes with its own dangers, he added, and police have neither the "lawful authority" nor the "practical capability" to block access to a city the size of Ottawa.
The chief also referenced similar protestsagainst COVID-19 mandates, including attempts to contain atrucker blockade in southern Alberta.
"What happens here affects there and what happens there affects here," Sloly said. "They were not effective and they created additional ... potentially life-threatening safety issues."
WATCH |'There may not be a police solution to this demonstration'
Downtown residents 'abandoned'
Ottawa police say they'renow aware of a significant contingent from the U.S.funding and participating in the protests, while policeworkto thwart those efforts.
With that context, Coun. Catherine McKenney, who represents the downtown Somerset Ward, askedSlolyif the RCMP can take over management of the Parliament Hill demonstration and letOttawa police focus on the effect on residents.
"Residents downtown have been abandoned during a national crisis and an occupation of our city," McKenney said.
Sloly said that was not possible, but Ottawa police are trying to support Ottawa's neighbourhoods.
We will charge the people who areresponsible for the offences no matter how long it takes and where they live.- Police Chief Peter Sloly
Police have arrestedthree men in connection with the protests:one for mischief under $5,000, one for uttering threats and one for carrying a weapon to a public meeting. Theyconfirmed Wednesday the weapon was a long gun, which was seized and remains in police evidence.
There are 25 active investigations, according to Deputy Chief SteveBell, including the desecration of the National War Memorial and complaints about harassmentat the Shepherds of Good Hope.
"We are charging people," Sloly said. "We will charge the people who areresponsible for the offences no matter how long it takes and where they live."
WATCH: Mayor says protesters doing 'more harm than good':
City, police searching for monetary support
Though some streets have reopened one example being the interprovincialChaudire Bridge Ferguson said the remaining demonstrators intend to ensure streets that are closed stay that way.
In anticipation of the coming snow, Ferguson said barricades are going up along those streets where snow removal vehicleshad previously blocked them off. The barricades are to keep more trucks from moving into some areas of the city.
It's all costing both the police force and the city, andDeans said council has had conversations aboutsuing GoFundMe, which has beenhosting a now-paused fundraiser for the protesters.
But that legal process would take time, Deans said, and a faster solution is necessary.She also positeda federal relief package be considered for businessesforced to stay closed this week, as well as others impacted by the demonstrations.
Watson said he'sin discussion with the federal and provincial ministers to bring this about.
Blair Dunker, the police board's chief administrative officer, said the costs of the protest have already surpassed$3 million.
For context, theCanada 150 celebrations cost $1.44 million and an average Canada Day costs around $620,000, she said.
With files from Joseph Tunney
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