The RCMP spent more than $ 1.6 million during the convoy of freedom in Ottawa, according to a request for access to information from the CBC.
The documents also reveal that the forces spent another $ 1.2 million on police protests in Alberta, most on the US border in Coots, Alta.
In total, the RCMP spent nearly $ 3 million on police action in both protests.
Streets in downtown Ottawa were deadlocked for weeks as thousands gathered around Parliament Hill to protest several complaints, from pandemic-mandated mandates to general disregard for the federal government.
In the end, police were able to successfully remove protesters and tow trucks and other vehicles clogging key arteries in the city center.
Police closely monitor protesters in downtown Ottawa to protest COVID-19 mandates on January 30, 2022 (Ivanoh Demers / Radio-Canada)
Most of the security costs of the RCMP, handled by its financial system during the protests in Ottawa between January 23 and March 1, are reportedly from travel.
This price, according to the RCMP, represents Ottawa overtime and travel expenses, including food and accommodation, processed by the RCMP financial system. It shows that in addition to spending $ 1,606,175 on travel, the RCMP spent $ 13,000 on accommodation and $ 6,720 on food.
A separate revelation from the RCMP shows that the Château Laurier Hotel in downtown Ottawa was used by the forces for things like processing arrests during its enforcement actions against Freedom Convoy protesters.
A summary of the hotel invoice to the RCMP lists $ 234,995.79 spent on “events.” The bill also shows that the RCMP spent $ 2,700 on 75 hot breakfast buffets at the hotel.
No additional information is provided. Expenditures disclosed by the RCMP do not include regular salaries and “indirect costs, including those related to support units”.
Earlier this month, documents released by the city of Ottawa showed that the cost of the freedom convoy would be in the range of $ 37 million.
Expenses in Alberta
Between January 29 and February 16, the RCMP spent an additional $ 1,209,430 on police work in Alberta, most of it on the U.S. border near Coots.
A slightly more detailed estimate of the RCMP’s costs in Alberta was provided. It shows $ 158,858.24 for overtime for border members and $ 34,439.25 for “investigative services.”
RCMP near Coutts, Alta., Border in February. (Nassima Way / CBC)
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