Ottawa police say they are aware of the protests planned for Canada Day and say they will not allow a repeat of the occupation of the “freedom convoy” that took over the city center in early ‘year.
Police said in a statement Friday that they have received several questions about planned protests and other online comments and that they have been planning accordingly for weeks.
“We will not allow the conditions that led to the illegal protests to return in February,” police said. “We are applying the lessons learned from the illegal protest, as well as the Rolling Thunder and the associated protests to build our plan.”
Police say he expects Heritage Canada celebrations, which take place in LeBreton Flats this year due to construction on Parliament Hill, to be larger than usual. They are also looking forward to other great events around the city.
“These factors, combined with an increase in the level of protests and demonstrations, are guiding our planning,” they said on Friday. “There will be major road closures and a significant increase in police presence. We will provide a number of additional police resources from various services.
Organizers are planning events from late June until Canada Day and the rest of the summer to protest the remaining COVID-19 restrictions. Many are affiliated with or expressing support for the “Freedom Convoy” protest that took over downtown Ottawa for three weeks in January and February.
Canada Day 2022 Public Safety Planning:
We are working with #CanadaDay organizers and our police partners to implement a public safety plan that will allow all Canadians and visitors to enjoy the capital freely and safely during this celebration. #ottawa #ottnews pic.twitter.com/grKpl8xaE8
– Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) June 17, 2022
The Veterans for Freedom group is holding a three-day conference in Ottawa next week and is coordinating a route on June 30 for James Topp and his supporters to walk through parts of Ottawa to the National War Memorial.
Topp is a Canadian soldier who was indicted by the Department of National Defense in May after publicly speaking out against federal vaccine requirements while in uniform.
The group is also planning Canada Day celebrations on the grass of the Supreme Court of Canada, a march on City Hall and a dance party on Parliament Hill that night.
Police say they will continue to ban vehicles in and around places of national importance, as was done for the ‘Rolling Thunder’ event in late April.
“The right to lawful and peaceful demonstrations will always be protected,” police said. “The operational planning team is aware that we do not want to overshadow this important and celebratory event. We will have the resources and the plan to respond immediately to security concerns. “
– with archives of the Canadian press