The Ottawa Police Services Board will receive an update on police preparations for a possible “Freedom Convoy 2.0” this afternoon as the city prepares for potential events to mark the one-year anniversary of protests against the COVID-19 vaccine mandates and measures to Public Health .
Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs is scheduled to address the Ottawa Police Services Board during a meeting this afternoon, and the board will receive what is being called a “Major Event Operational Update: Convoy 2.0” during a closed-door session.
The Freedom Convoy entered Ottawa on January 28, 2022 to protest the public health guidelines against COVID-19. Hundreds of vehicles and people blocked the streets around the parliament building for more than three weeks.
On the eve of the one-year anniversary of this weekend’s event, police say residents and businesses will see an increased police presence from time to time in the downtown area.
“We continue to closely monitor the potential for vehicle-based protests occurring in or through Ottawa between now and mid-February,” police said in a Twitter thread.
“While we don’t see concrete information indicating that there will be large-scale demonstrations or protests in Ottawa, the potential for some level of protests exists. As such, we will have the resources, logistics, traffic, towing and staffing plans to deal with any kind of scenario and will not allow the conditions that led to the February 2022 convoy to occur.”
In November, James Bauder, the co-founder of the group Canada Unity, announced plans for a “Freedom Convoy 2.0” in Ottawa from February 17 to 21. However, Bauder announced in late December that the reunion was “terminated.”
In December, Stubbs told CTV News Ottawa that the service would be ready for the eventual restart of the Freedom Convoy protest. The new chief said the agency has been providing equipment and gathering intelligence.
Wellington Street remains closed to vehicular traffic in front of Parliament Hill following the end of the Freedom Convoy. Ottawa’s transportation commission will discuss short-term plans for the road, including its possible reopening, on Wednesday.
Police say they “remain committed” to the safety and well-being of residents following the Freedom Convoy. With several events coming up, including Winterlude in February, police say they will ensure residents stay safe.
“There’s plenty to do and see in Ottawa this winter, including the upcoming Winterlude activities,” police said.
“This will include event road closures in the city center to facilitate pedestrian safety for people visiting the various Winterlude venues.”
The police are preparing for the president’s visit
The Ottawa Police Services Board will receive an in-camera update today on operational plans for the upcoming presidential visit.
US President Joe Biden announced earlier this month that he would make his first official visit to Canada as president in March, but did not say where he would visit.
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