The New Democratic Party (NDP) is calling for the United States Ambassador to Canada to testify before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, alleging that US groups’ funding of the Ottawa protest against compulsory vaccination is an attack on Canadian democracy.
A significant amount of money, estimated at more than $10 million, has reportedly been donated in support of the protesters by US donors.
Committee members will meet this Thursday and it will take unanimous consent from all political parties for an invitation to appear to be sent to Ambassador David Cohen.
The protesters, who have been in place in central Ottawa for nearly two weeks, have been warned by police that if they continue their street blockade, they could be charged with trespassing and face towing and seizure of their vehicle.
If found guilty of charges, they may no longer be allowed to enter the United States.
The warnings came after municipal officials from the City of Ottawa held talks with federal government counterparts on ways to address the crisis.
The Ottawa protest sparked similar moves elsewhere, including the blocking of the Canadian side of the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Windsor and Detroit, and the barricade at the border crossing in Coutts, Alberta.
Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair says residents of central Ottawa have been subjected to acts of brutality and disrespect by protesters and that the Government of Canada will ensure that the Ottawa Police Service has the necessary resources to restore public order and put an end to this demonstration, which he describes as illegal.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he spoke with Premier Doug Ford about the lockdowns in Windsor and Ottawa on Wednesday night, adding that the federal and provincial governments will continue their efforts to “get the situation under control.”