Parliament sittings cancelled due to the ongoing police crackdown in Ottawa
OTTAWA-Both chambers of Canada's Parliament cancelled sittings Friday due to the ongoing police operation in Ottawa's downtown city core.
The Commons was set to continue a historic second day of debate on the unprecedented proclamation of a national public order emergency" in response to the so-called Freedom Convoy" protests. But on the advice of parliamentary security, both the Senate and the Commons have suspended work Friday.
Ottawa police, bolstered by outside forces, set up more than 100 checkpoints around the city, trying to prevent additional protesters from joining the demonstration around Parliament Hill over the long weekend.
Ramps and routes into downtown Ottawa were closed overnight, with checkpoints set up and slowing traffic into the area. Only those who live or work there are permitted into the massive secure zone.
On Friday morning, there was a large police presence on a street to the east of Parliament Hill. Police confirmed on social media that some protesters are surrendering and are being arrested," and urged the truckers and other protesters to remain peaceful."
Police also warned journalists that anyone found where police are enforcing the law could get arrested, and urged media to keep a distance and stay out of police operations for your safety."
Sources say anyone arrested is going to be required to leave Ottawa immediately.
Late Thursday, Ottawa police arrested Freedom Convoy" organizer Tamara Lich. She tweeted defiantly, but we will continue to #holdtheline." Police confirmed that Lich, 49, was charged with counselling to commit mischief and is expected to appear in court Friday.
Ottawa police also said Friday they arrested Chris Barber, 46, and charged him with three offences, including counselling to commit mischief, counselling to disobey a court order and counselling to obstruct police. He is also to appear in court Friday.
Friday marked 22 days since the Freedom Convoy" arrived in Ottawa after driving across Canada to park semis and other vehicles in what became an occupation of the streets around Parliament Hill, with protesters building logistics hubs, delivering fuel and other supplies to those camped out in their trucks.
Over the course of the past three weeks, protesters have insisted they are peacefully calling for the end of all COVID-19 health restrictions. At the same time, police have said they are investigating alleged hate crimes, assaults, property damage and more incidents that have occurred during the protests. Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino has also said there are ideological links between far-right extremists arrested and charged with intending to kill police officers at a convoy blockade in southern Alberta, and the protests in Ottawa.
MPs, meanwhile, were warned as the protests began that there were attempts online to find their residential addresses, while Ottawa's former police chief - who resigned this week in the middle of the crisis - had said he was among a host of city officials who have received death threats since the demonstrations began.
On Friday, Government House Leader Mark Holland said in a statement that the day's sitting - in which MPs were slated to debate the unprecedented use of the Emergencies Act to grant police and financial institutions special powers to crack down on protesters - was cancelled on the advice of Parliamentary security, the Speaker of the House of Commons, and other House leaders.
We are closely monitoring the police operation in downtown Ottawa today and will await further advice from security officials on Parliament Hill on when the House can reopen. We hope that can occur Saturday," Holland said.
Holland said when debate resumes, all MPs who want to speak will do so. Today's pause in the debate will not affect the outcome. The House will do its work, and MPs will vote early next week on the Emergencies Act motion."
Commons Speaker Anthony Rota advised MPs a police operation is expected to take place on Wellington Street and other locations in the downtown core of Ottawa. Given these exceptional circumstances, and following discussion with all recognized party leadership, the sitting today is cancelled."
An MP said a hybrid sitting is only possible if the Speaker and a quorum of MPs are present in the Commons, which would require staff off site and security as well.
Rota advised MPs if they are not already in the House of Commons precinct, to stay away from the downtown core until further notice."
He said the Parliamentary Protective Service will notify when it is safe to return downtown.
Should you already be in the precinct, please remain in the building and await further instructions from PPS officers. Please stay close to your devices and watch for updates from the PPS."
Alex Ballingall is an Ottawa-based reporter covering federal politics for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @aballinga
Tonda MacCharles is an Ottawa-based reporter covering federal politics for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @tondamacc