OTTAWA, Feb. 14, 2023 – It’s been business as usual in downtown Ottawa despite musings of possible ‘convoy activity’ on Valentine’s Day as merchants and restaurateurs prepare gifts, parties, and events to celebrate the day of love named after Saint Valentine. Citing the “possibility of convoy activity” the City of Ottawa has issued a notice advising motorists of potential traffic disruptions along Highway 417 and in the downtown core on Tuesday.
There will be an increased police presence in downtown Ottawa despite the fact that a 4-day convoy reunion planned for the Ottawa area has been cancelled. A press release from James Bauder and Team Canada Unity dated Dec. 30, 2022 said that the Canadian Unity Official Freedom Convoy 2.0 Reunion scheduled to take place from Feb. 17-20 had officially been issued a 10-7 “OUT OF SERVICE” until further notice, citing security breaches and legal concerns.
However, the City of Ottawa has signaled its intention to enforce a zero-tolerance policy for any illegal activity in connection with any possible convoy activities. “We are working with @OttawaPolice to monitor and minimize any potential disruptions,” a statement from the city said. “Residents and businesses will see an increased police presence from time to time in the downtown core and surrounding areas. Illegal activity, including obstructing or impeding the flow of traffic with vehicles on any roadway, will not be tolerated and will be met with swift and immediate action.”
Dozens of people gathered on the Hill on January 28 to mark the one-year anniversary of the Freedom Convoy that converged on the nation’s capitol to protest vaccine mandates attracting thousands of like-minded supporters fed up with lockdown and pandemic restrictions. In addition to being much smaller in scale this year’s Freedom Rally was considerably more subdued than last’s year’s raucous convoy protests, featuring speeches, as well as dancing, making for a festive mood.
MPs on both sides of the aisle were just heading back to work before the House of Commons was to resume sitting on January 30 knowing they would have to map out their priorities on the top issues facing Canadians including the ongoing cost-of-living crunch, the risk of recession, Canada’s faltering healthcare system and the provinces’ demand for more money, all of which might explain the sparse attendance at this particular event now that pandemic restrictions have been lifted and concern over Covid-19 has waned.
However, George Roche of Official Canadian Rights Watch says that various Freedom Rallies have been planned and will be taking place across the country in Ottawa, Winnipeg, Toronto, Quebec and BC between Feb. 17-20.
by Deborah Rankin
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