Ottawa city officials say they are prepared for a “unique” day in Canada with plans to prevent anti-government protests from turning into another occupation.
Traditional national broadcasts are returning for the first time since 2019, this time from the square in front of the Canadian Military Museum due to the ongoing construction of Parliament Hill.
Ottawa police say they expect more protests and larger crowds than usual during Canada Day celebrations as freedom convoy groups continue to plan demonstrations. Some of these groups said they would like to protest until July and August.
“This is expected to be a unique Canada Day, with larger crowds and a larger footprint,” Ottawa Interim Police Chief Steve Bell told a news conference Monday.
WATCH | Interim Police Chief Steve Bell talks about plans for Canada Day:
Police promise “quick and decisive” action against any attempts to occupy Canada Day
Steve Bell, the acting chief of police in Ottawa, says protesters will not be allowed to erect structures such as sheds or tents, or have their own dance parties on the city’s streets.
“We have developed our plans in the shadow of the illegal protests and the Rolling Thunder event. We have spoken to members of the community and business and are very aware of the continuing trauma and concern about what they hear after these events. “
Bell said officials would allow legal protests as long as they stopped illegal activities, including setting up structures or loudspeakers without permission and the threat of occupation, as in the streets of downtown in the winter.
He said police were monitoring online comments and trying to talk to people who said they were coming to protest.
Police detain a man while clearing an area on Rideau Street during a protest by a convoy called the Rolling Thunder in Ottawa, April 29, 2022 (Justin Tang / The Canadian Press)
“[We’ve] planned, we are prepared and we have the resources, ”said Bell, when asked if police were ready to intervene again, as they did in late April, when attempts to gather near the Rideau Center were stopped by officials.
Provincial police and the RCMP have offered help to stop attempts at occupation as long as there is a risk, he said.
At least 5 days traffic control
Last week, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson told people thinking of coming to the capital “not to be afraid of people who might come to Ottawa to cause trouble.”
He said Monday that he wants it to be a safe, festive event for children and families, and that people who “come to break” will be treated without warning.
In all, Bell said police expected hundreds of thousands of people in the center. By comparison, approximately 56,000 people went to the performances on Parliament Hill in 2019, and that doesn’t count everyone who celebrates nearby.
About 16,000 people attended the hill lunch show in 2019 (CBC News)
There will be a traditional road closure for Canada Day on Friday, July 1 and early Saturday, although there are more closures near LeBreton Flats due to this change in the venue of the show.
But Ottawa police are creating another “vehicle exclusion zone” – similar to the one created in late April for the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally – without any street parking and protest vehicles allowed from 8 a.m. this Wednesday. until at least 6 a.m. Monday, July 4th.
Ottawa police control access to these parts of the center, including two river bridges. All vehicles not participating in rallies or protests will be allowed, the city said, but drivers cannot park on the street. (City of Ottawa)
Those plans could be changed if necessary, officials said Monday. People are asked to plan ahead, expect delays, and check city pages and local media for updates.
The OC Transpo and Société de transport de l’Outaouais service is free on 1 July and, in the case of OC Transpo, until 4 am on 2 July.
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