The mayor of Canada’s capital declared a state of emergency on Sunday as truckers from across the country continue to paralyze Ottawa’s downtown.
‘The situation at this point is completely out of control,’ Mayor Watson said on Sunday. ‘The individuals with the protest are calling the shots. They have far more people than we have police officers.’
Mayor Jim Watson said declaring a state of emergency highlighted the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government as the protests enter their 17th day.
It gives the city some additional powers around procurement and how it delivers services, which could help purchase equipment required by frontline workers and first responders.
‘Declaring a state of emergency reflects the serious danger and threat to the safety and security of residents posed by the ongoing demonstrations and highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government,’ the mayor said in a statement.
Despite the urgency of the declaration, it actually gives little to no extra powers to the mayor — he is unable to move the truckers or get the army in to control the situation.
However, a state of emergency declaration should alert those with more power in government, such as Justin Trudeau to the serious danger of the situation.
Trudeau, who has been in isolation since January 24 when his daughter tested positive for Covid but has since tested positive himself, has been in hiding at an unknown location for six days now.
And the Canadian Prime Minister hasn’t publicly spoken out about the truckers since February 2, when he thanked the ‘nearly 90 per cent’ of truckers who have received their Covid vaccine.
It is unclear whether he will do anything to help Ottawa regain control of the Freedom Convoy that is blocking their downtown.
The declaration came just hours after Ottawa Police announced that anyone who brings gasoline to help the truckers continue in their protest could be arrested.
The Police said: ‘Anyone attempting to bring material supports (gas, etc.) to the demonstrators could be subject to arrest. Enforcement is underway.’
And last Thursday Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said the RCMP had approved Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson’s request for Mounties to support city police.
But negotiations with Mounties already in place at the international Alberta blockade have broken down into assaults on officers.
Sympathetic protesters crossed police barricades to join truckers, assaulted officers and even caused a car crash while trying to ram into the Mounties, according to Global News.
The state of emergency announcement came as the city’s Police Services Board Chairwoman Diane Deans said the situation had spiraled into ‘a nationwide insurrection’ with protests spreading from Ottawa to Toronto and Quebec city this weekend.
In footage shot by The4KGuy, Wellington Street outside the Canadian parliament is seen to be completely blocked with trucks lining the length of the street.
Horns from the gathered truckers can also be heard blaring in a continuous drone of noise.