Police and city officials are preparing for a convoy of truck drivers protesting vaccine mandates to converge upon Toronto this weekend, with Mayor John Tory vowing to do “everything we can” to avoid the disruption on display in the nation’s capital.
“I have made it clear to (Toronto police) Chief Ramer that we must work together to do everything we can to avoid the kind of situation currently faced by Ottawa residents and businesses, to keep Toronto residents safe, and to try to ensure that any protests are respectful and peaceful, ”Tory told city council Thursday morning.
Toronto police issued a statement Wednesday saying the force was “aware” of and preparing for a demonstration planned Saturday in the city’s downtown core, Flyers circulating online call for supporters of the “Convoy for Freedom” to meet in designated spots throughout the GTA then head towards Queen’s Park for a midday protest.
“The service will have a policing operation in place to ensure public safety and keep emergency access routes to hospitals clear,” Toronto police said.
Tory said he’d met Thursday morning with Ramer, senior city staff and Toronto Fire for an update from police, who are “continuing to gather information about this possible protest” and will provide more information Friday.
Given Queen’s Park’s proximity to the row of hospitals along University Avenue, Tory assured that any protest in the area “absolutely cannot block off access to the hospitals.”
“I support Toronto police taking necessary action to prepare for this possible protest with a focus on doing everything they can to protect the safety of Toronto residents and businesses and to minimize any disruptions,” Tory said.
He added that the partial lifting of provincial COVID-19 restrictions means this weekend is the first time in several weeks that restaurants can open for indoor dining. The notion “that any protest would keep these businesses – which have been hard hit by the pandemic – from being open, or drive customers away, is also unacceptable,” he said.
Police in Ottawa have faced growing criticism of their handling of the truckers’ protest, now entering its seventh day; a convoy of semis and demonstrators that have clogged downtown streets and closed businesses, and led to complaints of harassment, all-night horn honking and racist symbols being flaunted by some attendees.
Protestors have declared they will not leave until Canada lifts health restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.
Amid rising calls for police to clear what some are calling an occupation – and as the city braces for possible counter-protests this weekend – Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly said Wednesday that all options are on the table to bring the protest to an end, including the “extremely rare” step of calling in the Canadian Armed Forces.
“The longer this goes on, the more I’m convinced there may not be a police solution to this demonstration,” Sloly said, vowing to hold those who are committing crimes and traumatizing residents to account but stressing that police must be “responsible, lawful, ethical, and measured. ”
Asked about the truckers’ protest by a Hamilton radio station Thursday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he hopes it is “a peaceful protest.”
“We live in a democracy and if people want to come down and protest, God bless them. I understand their frustration, ”he said, adding that things have been“ tough ”in Ottawa for businesses that can not open.
A spokesperson for the Ontario Provincial Police said Thursday that the force would not discuss “operational plans” but said it is aware of the potential protest, noting: “We will work with our policing partners to ensure the safety of everyone, including those who participate in a demonstration. ”
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Reference-www.thestar.com