In the News
“Freedom Convoy”
Ontario to Declare State of Emergency
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a state of emergency in the province at a news conference the morning of Friday, February 11, saying it is necessary to respond to protests and blockades in Ottawa, Windsor and Toronto. He said the protests against public health measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19 have caused major disruptions in multiple areas of the province in recent weeks.
The blockades continue to shut down parts of Ottawa and the Ambassador Bridge which links Windsor and Detroit. Late Friday afternoon, Chief Justice Geoffrey B. Morawetz of Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice granted an injunction to end the blockade at Windsor’s Ambassador Bridge, to come into effect at 7:00 pm. Friday evening. The injunction was applied for by The Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association and supported by the City of Windsor
Police have responded to protests expected at Queen’s Park in Toronto by closing off several roads in the surrounding area.
At the press conference, Ford said his cabinet will be convened to “urgently enact orders that will make crystal clear it is illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along critical infrastructure.”
“This will include protecting international border crossings, 400-series highways, airports, ports, bridges and railways. It will also include protecting the safe and essential movement of ambulatory and medical services, public transit, municipal and provincial roadways, as well as pedestrian walkways,” Ford said.
“Fines for non-compliance will be severe, with a maximum penalty of $100,000 and up to a year imprisonment. We will also provide additional authority to consider taking away the personal and commercial licenses of anyone who doesn’t comply with these orders.”
The premier referred to the situation in Ottawa as a “siege” saying, “This is about a political statement. That’s what this is about.” He said, “It’s an illegal occupation. This is no longer a protest.”
“People want to see action. And that’s what we’re taking,” he said, adding that they “don’t want another table of a bunch of politicians sitting there talking.”
As concerns restrictions in Ontario to deal with the spread of COVID-19, he said the province is “on track to very soon remove almost all restrictions for businesses as a part of our reopening plan.” Ontario is also working on a plan to “remove the vaccine passport system,” he said. “This is great news and a sign of just how far we have come together in this fight,” Ford said. “To the occupiers: please, go home.”
(TML Daily, posted February 11, 2022)
