A man waves the flag of Canada around parked trucks, as protests against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine mandates continue, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 16, 2022. (REUTERS)
OTTAWA – Two buses of police moved into the central core of Ottawa on Thursday after authorities promised to end a three week blockade that prompted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to talk about “a threat to our democracy”.
A video posted online by a CBC reporter showed several dozen officers getting off the buses a block away from Parliament Hill, where heavy trucks have been parked since the end of January, some right outside Trudeau’s office.
The apparent reinforcements added to an already heavy security presence in the central area, which is not usually so visibly policed.
However, there was no immediate sign of a move to clear protesters. Police in Ottawa had on Wednesday handed out flyers warning truck drivers and others paralyzing the downtown core of the city that they should leave or face arrest.
Around 400 vehicles are involved.
“We are going to take back the entirety of the downtown core and every occupied space,” Interim Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell said in a statement late on Wednesday.
Bad weather could potentially complicate any policing action. A steady rain fell on Ottawa early on Thursday and Environment Canada said this would later turn to snow, with up to 12 inches (30 cm) expected by Friday morning.
Canadian officials have increasingly sharpened their tone, warning of extremist elements present among demonstrators who they say want to overthrow the government.
Trudeau invoked the little-used Emergencies Act on Monday, giving the government a wide range of additional temporary powers. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have sent in reinforcements and public broadcaster Radio-Canada said the province of Quebec was preparing to provide police.
In a letter on Wednesday to the premiers of the 10 provinces, at least four of whom say there was no need to invoke the act, Trudeau said: “We are seeing activity that is a threat to our democracy and that is undermining the public’s trust in our institutions”.
While the demonstrators initially protested against cross-border COVID-19 vaccine mandates for truckers and pandemic restrictions, they have made clear their opposition to Trudeau and some say they want to kick him out of office.
Tamara Lich, a prominent fundraiser for and organizer of the Ottawa protest, said in a video posted by CTV late on Wednesday: “I’m ready, I’m not afraid, and we’re going hold the line”.
Trudeau is due to address the House of Commons on his decision to invoke the act at 10 am Eastern Time (1500 GMT).