For the first time in the history of the country, the Canadian government is ready to use emergency law to end protests against coronavirus restrictions carried out by truckers. This was announced on Monday, February 14, by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a press conference.
“The federal government will resort to the emergency law. We cannot and will not allow illegal and dangerous activities to continue,” he said.
Trudeau stressed that this includes allowing the federal government to order services such as truck evacuation, while these measures will not include conscription or the abolition of civil rights.
In addition, business support measures will be introduced in the coming days for Ottawa companies that have been forced to close due to protests.
The Emergency Act was passed in 1988 and has never been used in Canada. This law has been in the spotlight as a potential federal response to crises.
Earlier Monday, the press service of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced the arrest of 11 suspected of preparing armed resistance to the authorities at a border checkpoint in Alberta. It was noted that the attackers planned to commit a crime during the protest.
On February 3, the Ottawa police requested and received reinforcements from the Canadian Federal Police and departments from other regions to confront the protesters. Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly stressed that law enforcement officers are considering all options for ending the truckers’ protest in the Canadian capital.
The mayor of Canada’s capital, Jim Watson, announced on February 6 that the situation in downtown Ottawa amid ongoing trucker protests was out of control. The city has declared a state of emergency.
Large-scale protests against coronavirus restrictions in the Canadian capital of Ottawa began on January 29. The action was launched by Canadian truckers. Several dozen cars and trucks arrived in the city.