More than a month after the end of the occupation of Ottawa, and while most health measures have now been lifted in the country, a Quebec convoy “for freedom” converged on Saturday towards the national capital.
Posted at 7:44 p.m.
Convoys of vehicles departing from Montreal, Drummondville, Saint-Hyacinthe and St-Lambert-de-Lauzon crossed Ottawa on Saturday afternoon, before continuing on their way to Vankleek Hill, in eastern Ontario.
Learning from the past, Ottawa police had prepared for all possible scenarios, including towing vehicles, she said on Twitter.
“We have worked with our partners to put in place multiple road closures with a heavy police presence throughout downtown,” she added.
Commercial Elgin Street, located in the heart of the city, was closed between Slater Street and Laurier Avenue for part of the afternoon. The ByWard Market, Lower Town, north of Laurier Avenue and residential areas were also off limits.
“We are aware that this convoy was [mal vu par] many residents and businesses,” said Ottawa police, who recalled that the counter-demonstrations “ [mettaient] jeopardize public safety”.
By late afternoon, no incident had been reported. All bridges and roads had been reopened.