Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency on Sunday due to the protest that has dragged on in his city for 10 days now.
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“The declaration of a state of emergency reflects the grave danger as well as the threat to the safety and security of residents posed by the ongoing protests and underscores the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government,” Mayor Watson said in a statement.
According to Mayor Watson, the declaration of the state of emergency will in particular “ensure essential services to its residents as well as enable a more flexible procurement process, thus promoting the purchase of the equipment necessary for frontline workers and first responders.
This is a new stage in the confrontation between the authorities and the hundreds of truckers and sympathizers who occupy downtown Ottawa and who harm the quality of life of its citizens in order to make their demands heard. regarding the abolition of health measures related to COVID-19.
From the beginning, the Ottawa police deliberately avoided throwing oil on the fire, contenting themselves with negotiating with the demonstrators. However, over the weekend, the police changed tactics, including starting to hand out fines and disrupting supplies to protesters.
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Reference-www.journaldemontreal.com