Canada looks to end Covid-19 protests with tougher financial measures after another weekend of arrests
Another weekend of protests against Canada's Covid-19 mandates saw around 200 arrests in the nation's capital as authorities moved to end the weekslong demonstration, towing vehicles and going after protesters' pocketbooks with financial penalties.
Police
said they employed pepper spray and escalated tactics over the weekend
to disperse crowds and make arrests with protesters gathered in front of
the Parliament building.
Some
of those arrests included protesters who allegedly had smoke grenades
and fireworks, and were wearing body armor, police said.
Ontario's
Special Investigation Unit is also reviewing an incident where a woman
was reportedly seriously injured after an interaction with a police
officer on a horse, and a second where an officer discharged a
less-than-lethal firearm at protesters.
Ottawa
Interim Police Chief Steve Bell told a news conference Sunday police
operations had seen a dramatic decline in the number of protesters.
But
he said downtown residents had woken to fencing and a "very heavy
police presence" as well as checkpoints throughout the city.
"While
I know that everyone is pleased to see many of the unlawful protesters
are gone, this is not the normal state of our city," he said. "Despite
the successes of the past few days, we still require these measures to
prevent unlawful protesters from returning."
Bell
said 191 protesters had been arrested and 107 people charged. Charges
included obstructing police, disobeying a court order, assault,
mischief, possessing a weapon and assaulting a police officer, he said.
Chris
Harkins, deputy commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police reported
at the news conference 76 vehicles had been seized and towed.
The
Ottawa protests were started in late January by a group of truck
drivers opposed to a Covid-19 vaccine and testing mandate. But others
outside the trucking industry have joined to express their frustration with an array of other Covid-19 health measures, such as requirements to wear masks in schools.
Officials vowed to end the protests through unprecedented protocols, including the Emergencies Act.
The law allows the Canadian government to tap into military forces, but
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made it clear troops will not be
needed.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A
demonstrator shouts during a protest outside Parliament on February 11.
Canada's Ontario province declared a state of emergency over the
trucker-led protests paralyzing the capital and blocking trade with the
United States.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A protester wears Canadian flags on her head during a protest outside Parliament on February 11.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
The
Ambassador Bridge closing slowed supplies to US automakers. It also
caused major traffic jams, such as this one, which diverted vehicles to
the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, Michigan, on February 9.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Supporters wave flags as a convoy of trucks moves through Toronto on February 5.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A protester walks to a demonstration in Vancouver, British Columbia, on February 5.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Counterprotesters gather at Terminal Avenue to block a convoy of protesters in Vancouver on February 5.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Supporters of the protesters pass by a honking truck near Queen's Park in Toronto on February 5.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A
protester holds up a wanted poster of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as
protesters gather around Queen's Park in Toronto on February 5.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Trucks parked in downtown Ottawa continue to protest Covid-19 mandates on February 4.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A
protester requests that police let trucks come close to Queen's Park
during a protest at the park to support the truckers and denounce the
government's vaccination policy.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Trucks from the so-called Freedom Convoy block downtown streets during a demonstration in Ottawa on February 3.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A protester stands with a Canadian flag in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Lines of trucks block the US-Canada border during a demonstration in Coutts, Alberta, on February 2.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Truck drivers and supporters protest in Ottawa on January 31.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A child in Ottawa holds a sign comparing Covid-19 regulations to Nazi Germany on January 30.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Supporters
arrive at Parliament Hill to protest on January 29. Hundreds of
truckers drove their giant rigs into the Canadian capital.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Protesters party as a firework explodes in front of Parliament Hill during a rally in Ottawa on January 29.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A supporter of the Freedom Convoy protests Covid-19 mandates in Ottawa on January 29.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A man holds a firework during a protest in Ottawa on January 29.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Supporters of the truckers gather near a highway overpass outside of Toronto on January 27.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Protesters and police face each other as police move in to clear downtown Ottawa of protesters on Saturday, February 19.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A truck is towed away in front of Ottawa's Parliament Hill on February 19.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Police clear downtown Ottawa on February 19.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A protester's eyes are washed out after being affected by a chemical irritant fired by police on February 19.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
People show their support for a trucker as he leaves downtown Ottawa on February 19.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A police officer watches as a truck leaves Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, February 18.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Police officers form a line as they push back protesters on February 18.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Mounted police move in to disperse protesters on February 18.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A man prepares a truck for towing in Ottawa on February 18.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A man is detained by police as protesters and supporters gather in downtown Ottawa on Thursday, February 17.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
From
left, protest leaders Eddie Stewart Cornell, Vincent Gircys and Daniel
Bulford attend a news conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, February 16.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A police officer holds up a flyer that was being distributed to protesters in Ottawa on February 16. Police said they may arrest anyone blocking streets or assisting someone who is doing so.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Trucks and protesters block downtown streets near Canada's Parliament on Tuesday, February 15.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A truck convoy departs Coutts, Alberta, after blocking the highway at the US border crossing on Tuesday, February 15.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Truck drivers block traffic outside Canada's Parliament on Monday, February 14.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Police
gather to clear protesters who blocked the entrance to the Ambassador
Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, on Sunday, February 13. The Ambassador
Bridge, North America's busiest land border crossing, reopened Sunday.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A
demonstrator stands atop a truck holding a Canadian flag during a
protest outside the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa on February 12.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A demonstrator lets off a firework during a protest outside Parliament in Ottawa on February 12.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Truck drivers and others protest Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in Ottawa on February 12.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Protesters
heading out of and into Niagara Square in Buffalo, New York, honk their
horns as they head toward the Peace Bridge on February 12. One holds a
bobblehead doll of former President Donald Trump out his window while
stopped in traffic.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A
demonstrator shouts during a protest outside Parliament on February 11.
Canada's Ontario province declared a state of emergency over the
trucker-led protests paralyzing the capital and blocking trade with the
United States.
Hide Caption
21 of 40
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A protester wears Canadian flags on her head during a protest outside Parliament on February 11.
Hide Caption
22 of 40
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
The
Ambassador Bridge closing slowed supplies to US automakers. It also
caused major traffic jams, such as this one, which diverted vehicles to
the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, Michigan, on February 9.
Hide Caption
23 of 40
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Supporters wave flags as a convoy of trucks moves through Toronto on February 5.
Hide Caption
24 of 40
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A protester walks to a demonstration in Vancouver, British Columbia, on February 5.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Counterprotesters gather at Terminal Avenue to block a convoy of protesters in Vancouver on February 5.
Hide Caption
26 of 40
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Supporters of the protesters pass by a honking truck near Queen's Park in Toronto on February 5.
Hide Caption
27 of 40
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A
protester holds up a wanted poster of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as
protesters gather around Queen's Park in Toronto on February 5.
Hide Caption
28 of 40
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Trucks parked in downtown Ottawa continue to protest Covid-19 mandates on February 4.
Hide Caption
29 of 40
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A
protester requests that police let trucks come close to Queen's Park
during a protest at the park to support the truckers and denounce the
government's vaccination policy.
Hide Caption
30 of 40
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Trucks from the so-called Freedom Convoy block downtown streets during a demonstration in Ottawa on February 3.
Hide Caption
31 of 40
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A protester stands with a Canadian flag in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Lines of trucks block the US-Canada border during a demonstration in Coutts, Alberta, on February 2.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Truck drivers and supporters protest in Ottawa on January 31.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A child in Ottawa holds a sign comparing Covid-19 regulations to Nazi Germany on January 30.
Hide Caption
35 of 40
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Supporters
arrive at Parliament Hill to protest on January 29. Hundreds of
truckers drove their giant rigs into the Canadian capital.
Hide Caption
36 of 40
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Protesters party as a firework explodes in front of Parliament Hill during a rally in Ottawa on January 29.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A supporter of the Freedom Convoy protests Covid-19 mandates in Ottawa on January 29.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A man holds a firework during a protest in Ottawa on January 29.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Supporters of the truckers gather near a highway overpass outside of Toronto on January 27.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Protesters and police face each other as police move in to clear downtown Ottawa of protesters on Saturday, February 19.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A truck is towed away in front of Ottawa's Parliament Hill on February 19.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Police clear downtown Ottawa on February 19.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A protester's eyes are washed out after being affected by a chemical irritant fired by police on February 19.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
People show their support for a trucker as he leaves downtown Ottawa on February 19.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A police officer watches as a truck leaves Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, February 18.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Police officers form a line as they push back protesters on February 18.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Mounted police move in to disperse protesters on February 18.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A man prepares a truck for towing in Ottawa on February 18.
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A man is detained by police as protesters and supporters gather in downtown Ottawa on Thursday, February 17.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
From
left, protest leaders Eddie Stewart Cornell, Vincent Gircys and Daniel
Bulford attend a news conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, February 16.
Hide Caption
11 of 40
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A police officer holds up a flyer that was being distributed to protesters in Ottawa on February 16. Police said they may arrest anyone blocking streets or assisting someone who is doing so.
Hide Caption
12 of 40
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Trucks and protesters block downtown streets near Canada's Parliament on Tuesday, February 15.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A truck convoy departs Coutts, Alberta, after blocking the highway at the US border crossing on Tuesday, February 15.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Truck drivers block traffic outside Canada's Parliament on Monday, February 14.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Police
gather to clear protesters who blocked the entrance to the Ambassador
Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, on Sunday, February 13. The Ambassador
Bridge, North America's busiest land border crossing, reopened Sunday.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A
demonstrator stands atop a truck holding a Canadian flag during a
protest outside the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa on February 12.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
A demonstrator lets off a firework during a protest outside Parliament in Ottawa on February 12.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Truck drivers and others protest Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in Ottawa on February 12.
Hide Caption
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Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Protesters
heading out of and into Niagara Square in Buffalo, New York, honk their
horns as they head toward the Peace Bridge on February 12. One holds a
bobblehead doll of former President Donald Trump out his window while
stopped in traffic.
Hide Caption
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Protesters hit with financial penalties as funding sources investigated
Mike
Duheme, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) deputy commissioner of
federal policing told Sunday's news conference the Emergencies Act had
helped with the police operation.
"Provisions
of this Emergencies Act have allowed us to maintain the perimeter,
restrict travel and ensure that we can continue to choke off financial
support and other assistance to protesters," Duheme said.
Canadian
authorities on Sunday froze the finances associated with certain
individuals and companies believed to be involved in the protest, Duheme
said.
The
RCMP froze 206 financial products, including bank and corporate
accounts; disclosed the information of 56 entities associated with
vehicles, individuals and companies; shared 253 bitcoin addresses with
virtual currency exchangers; and froze a payment processing account
valued at $3.8 million, Duheme told the news conference.
"We
continue to work at collecting relevant information on persons,
vehicles and companies and remain in daily communication with the
financial institution to assist them," Duheme said.
A truck is towed away in downtown Ottawa on Sunday.
Canada's
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly told CNN's Christiane Amanpour officials
were looking into how the blockades had been funded.
"We've
launched inquiries to see whether there was foreign influence. I've
raised the issue with Secretary Blinken, my counterparts also within
Canada have raised issues, because we're very preoccupied with the
financing, through crowdsourcing, first, and also the disinformation
campaign linked to it," she said.
In
the meantime, Canadian officials Saturday announced small businesses
who had been unable to open due to blockades and who had suffered
financial loss could apply for up to $10,000 they would not have to pay
back.
The
funds, totaling up to $20 million, may only be used for nondeferrable
operational costs not covered by other federal programs, the Federal
Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario said.
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