Ottawa police might need military aid to end downtown occupation, chief says

"Police aware of significant funding and participation in protest from U.S."

Sara Frizzell · CBC News · Posted: Feb 02, 2022 3:52 PM ET | Last Updated: 4 hours ago

Demonstrations continue on Wellington Street in Ottawa for a sixth day on Wednesday with no end in sight. (Alexander Behne/CBC)

Ottawa's police chief says policing alone might not solve the ongoing, volatile occupation of the city's downtown core that has lasted for nearly a week, and military aid might be necessary.

"This is a national issue, not an Ottawa issue," Ottawa police Chief Peter Sloly said in a briefing to city councillors Wednesday afternoon.

"I am increasingly concerned there is no policing solution to this."

Sloly said options being considered include requesting military aid, negotiation, political response, a court injunction or forced removal of protesters. But all approaches come with significant concerns, including rioting, injury and death, he said.

"I don't have a singular mandate in this city, this province or this country, to negotiate the end to any demonstration. There always needs to be an element outside of the police for any truly successful end to any demonstration, particularly one of this size," he said.

People across the country, as well as from other countries, have brought their frustrations with government response to the pandemic — all levels of government — to the nation's capital.

I am increasingly concerned there is no policing solution to this.​​​​​​

• Ottawa police Chief Peter Sloly

The risks will increase the longer the demonstration persists, said Sloly, but clearing protesters out of the city comes with its own risks. He also said police can't block access to the city.

"There is no lawful authority to seal a city, there's no practical capability to seal a city of this size," Sloly said, adding he'd need a police force of 50,000 officers to even attempt it.

He repeated that other options are on the table, including the potential need for military aid.

The chief also mentioned similar protests happening across the country and around the world.

"What happens here affects there and what happens there affects here," he said, referencing attempts to contain a trucker blockade in southern Alberta.

"They were not effective and they created additional … potentially life-threatening safety issues," Sloly said.

WATCH | 'There may not be a police solution to this demonstration'

‘There may not be a police solution to this demonstration’

6 hours ago

Duration1:18

Ottawa police Chief Peter Sloly says the hostile and volatile nature of the convoy protest means local police may be unable to bring it to an end without national assistance. 1:18

Worries about response in Alberta

Police efforts there resulted in dangerous collisions, immediate refilling of the spaces that were cleared, and vehicles driven at officers, he said.

The force is now aware of a significant contingent from the U.S. funding and participating, while police work to thwart those efforts.

With that context, Coun. Catherine McKenney, who represents the downtown Somerset Ward, asked the chief if the RCMP can take over management of the Parliament Hill demonstration and have Ottawa police focus on the effect on residents.

"Residents downtown have been abandoned during a national crisis and an occupation of our city," McKenney said.

Sloly said a transfer of the lead organization was not possible, but Ottawa police are in the process of moving to support Ottawa's neighbourhoods.

We will charge the people who are responsible for the offences no matter how long it takes and where they live.

• Police Chief Peter Sloly

Police have arrested three men in connection with the protests: one for mischief under $5,000, one for uttering threats and one for carrying a weapon to a public meeting. They confirmed Wednesday the weapon was a long gun, which was seized and remains in police evidence.

There are 25 active investigations, according to Deputy Chief Steve Bell, including the desecration of the National War Memorial and the incidents at the Shepherds of Good Hope.

"We are charging people," Sloly said, "We will charge the people who are responsible for the offences no matter how long it takes and where they live."

WATCH: Mayor says protesters doing 'more harm than good':

Protesters doing ‘more harm than good’ remaining in downtown Ottawa, mayor says

5 hours ago

Duration1:06

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson says it’s time for protesters to leave as complaints from residents about noise, harassment and property damage begin to pile up. 1:06

City, police searching for monetary support

Acting deputy chief Trish Ferguson says several hundred trucks are still in the city, and those who remain are a highly volatile group.

The crowd is smaller than the thousands estimated on Saturday, but police intelligence suggests numbers are expected to swell this coming weekend.

Though some streets have reopened — one example being the interprovincial Chaudière Bridge — Ferguson says the remaining demonstrators intend to continue to shut streets that are currently closed.

In anticipation of the coming snow, Ferguson said barricades are going up along those streets where snow removal vehicles had previously blocked them off. The barricades are to keep more trucks from moving into some areas of the city.

This is costing both the police force and the city, and Ottawa Police Services Board Chair Diane Deans said council has had conversations about suing GoFundMe, but that legal process would take time and a faster solution is necessary.

She also posited a federal relief package be considered for businesses that have been forced to stay closed this week, as well as others impacted by the demonstrations.

What's closed on Day 6 of the downtown Ottawa protest

Blair Dunker, the police board's chief administrative officer, says costs of the protest have already totalled more than $3 million and counting.

For context, she says Canada 150 celebrations cost $1.44 million and an average Canada Day costs around $620,000.

>>2905, >>2906, >>2907 Ottawa police might need military aid to end downtown occupation, chief says

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/truck-convoy-police-solution-1.6337051

>>2909

What if it's all at once?

What does a Landslide do?

>The ground beneath their feet

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