Quebec police warn illegal acts by protesters won’t be tolerated

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QUEBEC – As trucker convoys from several regions of the province made their way to Quebec City on Saturday, police in the provincial capital issued a firm reminder that no illegal activities would be allowed.

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“No acts of violence, vandalism or criminal infractions will be tolerated,” the police force wrote in a communiqué sent out at 8 am on Saturday. “The Quebec City police force has experience in managing protests on its territory. We are able to adapt our strategies so that the protests are carried out properly and in respect of the law and regulations.”

Contrary to the Ottawa trucker protest against COVID-19 health restrictions, which has caused gridlock in much of the city and plagued residents with a barrage of blaring horns, the Quebec City convoy, organized in solidarity with its Ontario counterpart, has been strictly managed by local authorities.

Access to the downtown core and festival sites linked to the city’s annual winter carnival that started Friday have been cordoned off by a heavy police presence and municipal vehicles serving as roadblocks. Authorities and politicians have been in contact with convoy organizers for days ahead of the main rally scheduled for Saturday, outlining what will be allowed and where protesters can gather and park their vehicles. Only two or three heavy trucks have been allowed to park in the vicinity of the main protest near the National Assembly; the rest have been relegated to side streets and shopping mall parking lots on the outskirts.

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On Friday, Premier François Legault cautioned demonstrators that officials would not hesitate to use tow trucks.

The measures have been complied with so far, but also met with some grumbling. Popular union leader Bernard “Rambo” Gauthier complained to the crowd on Friday evening that police have been too strict. “This is bullsh-t,” he said.

Other protesters interviewed by the Montreal Gazette on Friday said they were disappointed by the relatively small gatherings to that point.

“The police have done a good job of making the protest look smaller than it is,” said one protester who came from Drummondville. He was waving a Quebec flag at the small convoy of cars, pickup trucks and SUVs that were driving on René-Lévesque Blvd. near the legislature, in a perpetual loop, as a band of about 30 protesters cheered them on in the biting cold. “There are actually a lot more trucks, but they won’t let them near.”

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Another protester told the Gazette that police were physically pushy with him and his friends, who had come from the Saguenay region, about three hours northeast of the capital. “I’m very disappointed in them,” he said. “I think it’s because we all have large pickup trucks decorated with big flags.” The man said he had lost three jobs in the last two years because he’s not fully vaccinated. He has had only one vaccination to date.

On Friday evening, roughly 100 protesters demonstrated outside the National Assembly under the watchful eye of police, with pop music blaring and honking horns heard in the distance. Nearby, festivities for the city’s winter carnival went on unimpeded, with families and couples strolling the streets and taking in the sights.

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Organizers say many more protesters are expected on Saturday, with convoys en route from Trois-Rivières, St-Hyacinthe, the Beauce region and eastern Quebec. By 10 am, horns could be heard blaring throughout the city.

Unable to park near the legislature, demonstrators were parking as far off as the Montcalm district and then walking to the site.

At the same time, the annual Quebec City Carnaval was kicking off as planned. At 11 am, under clear sunny skies, families with children were seen headed to the Carnaval site which was open for business.

Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand is expected to address the media in the afternoon.

More details to eat.

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