- OPP are talking with Ottawa police about latest request for help, says the province.
- Ottawa city council postpones committee meetings to focus on the protest.
- There’s a new protest camp at Bronson Avenue and Heron Road.
Ottawa’s mayor and city manager provided a post-city council update on the ongoing protest, which brought news the city can now issue fines of $1,000 for certain offenses.
The disruptive demonstration against pandemic rules is nearing the two-week mark.
This week has included a court order to stop loud horns, plus a dance between protesting trying to bring in fuel and police trying to stop it. Just as the meeting was starting, the city confirmed to CBC the province had approved its request to raise some fines to $1,000.
That is a large increase from the usual cost for violating open fire, idling and noise bylaws.
Their horns may be silenced, but some truckers are still finding ways to make lots of noise. pic.twitter.com/FK0YmkYEHk
There was talk at city council earlier on Wednesday about what kinds of other injunctions the city could seek,
City solicitor David White told reporters any city court filings would be done in partnership with the police that would have to enforce it.
Update on extra police may come Wednesday
Mayor Jim Watson said he would like to get the request for more police resources approved in time for the weekend, which is when crowds have been at their largest so far.
The office of Ontario’s solicitor general told CBC Wednesday the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is still talking to Ottawa police about what else the OPP can send.
In a separate news conference happening at the same time, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino told reporters the RCMP is also involved and he hopes they can get the city a number later Wednesday.
Some councillors also expressed displeasure at police and the federal government allowing protesters to set up a new camp in a parking lot on Bronson Avenue near Heron Road.
City manager Steve Kanellakos said during the update police are trying to manage disruptions and direct protesters to a better option than downtown streets.
Council voted to cancel committee meetings until Feb. 18 to focus on the protest response.
