Parliament Hill police estimate 500 will attend ‘Freedom Convoy’ anniversary
Posted January 27, 2023 3:46 pm.
Last Updated January 28, 2023 1:15 pm.
The Parliamentary Protective Service expects 500 people to gather this weekend to mark a year since the “Freedom Convoy” occupied downtown Ottawa.
The agency, which polices the precinct, said it will curtail some access to Parliament Hill.
The public can still use the central and east gates to access the Hill lawn, but not the gates closest to the West Block, where the Liberals are holding their caucus meeting this weekend.
The protective service said public tours have been cancelled.
Ottawa police say they don’t have an estimate of how many demonstrators are expected on city streets.
Bigger numbers, but hard to say it’s more than ~200 people (police excluded). One guy I spoke to said he expects to see more and more people arrive this afternoon, but I’m skeptical at this moment. pic.twitter.com/cvwRdCn65f
— Xiaoli XCX / 李肖黎 (@Xiaoli_XCX) January 28, 2023
The protective service also said Ottawa police will enforce the closure of Wellington Street, in front of Parliament Hill, to traffic.
The area’s city councillor, Ariel Troster, said that demonstrators have a permit for a “dance party” on Parliament Hill but not for the areas controlled by the city, which includes Wellington Street.
On Twitter, she wrote Friday that the city will increase staffing of the 311 phone line this weekend to respond to any incidents.
“City staff strongly affirmed there will be zero tolerance for hate crimes,” Troster wrote in a message to local residents.
In its own news release Thursday, the City of Ottawa said police might implement “temporary closures to manage large volumes of traffic, if necessary.”
The city said drivers should anticipate delays in the downtown core, adding that parking has been restricted throughout the area.
RELATED: City of Ottawa says thousands in fines still owed one year after ‘Freedom Convoy’
Meanwhile, bylaw officers will guard against “flagrant violation of municipal regulations,” the city said, particularly “regarding parking, noise, litter and fireworks.” Ottawa allows fireworks only on the days surrounding Canada Day and Victoria Day.
“The city values a diversity of minds, perspectives and lived experiences and denounces any displays of hate and racism,” the municipality noted.
By-law Officers conducting their duties in relation to ongoing events in the downtown core have been met with aggression.
Interfering with investigations and aggression towards any law enforcement will not be tolerated. #OttCity #OttNews https://t.co/vASeJDg06z pic.twitter.com/k0DY0waNwP
— Ottawa By-law (@OttawaBylaw) January 28, 2023
OC Transpo says it plans to maintain regular transit service in the capital.
A subcommittee of Ottawa city council voted this week to reopen Wellington Street to cars as soon as March, after a yearlong closure. The full council will vote on that proposal in early February.
Large trucks occupied the street for weeks last year, and were only removed after the Liberal government invoked the Emergencies Act.
Demonstrators came with a range of grievances, with many focused on COVID-19 health measures, while others espoused conspiracy theories and displayed images related to far-right extremism.
