By Canadian Press

Ottawa police chief vows there won’t be a repeat of last winter’s ‘Freedom Convoy’

Dec 20, 2022 | 10:20 AM

Ottawa’s chief of police says the force is making preparations to handle a potential return of the “Freedom Convoy” next February. 

Eric Stubbs sent a letter to the mayor and the chair of the Ottawa Police Services Board on Monday, saying the police liaison team is talking with the protest organizers. 

James Bauder, the co-founder of a group that calls itself Canada Unity and one of the original organizers, has posted on Facebook that he’s planning a reunion in the name of “unity” this winter.

Stubbs says Ottawa police will ensure precautions are in place to prevent a repeat of last winter’s protests, when thousands of protesters blockaded downtown streets for weeks in opposition to COVID-19 restrictions and the Liberal government. 

The disruptions caused businesses and streets in the area to close — including part of Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill, which has been shut down to traffic ever since.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 20, 2022. 

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

The Canadian Press