Local protesters brought placards, banners and flags, including those of Canada.
Protesters brought large Canadian flags, banners and placards to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the start of the truck convoy organized to protest health measures.
Photo: Radio Canada / Rosalie Sinclair
The vast majority of protesters gather near the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill. An emergency shelter was set up a few meters away. A few groups of people have also gathered on the sidewalk of Wellington Street, which runs alongside Parliament.
Just after 12pm, the police presence at the Wellington Street scene increased, angering some protesters.
The police presence near Parliament during the rally organized to mark the first anniversary of the truck convoy’s launch created tensions with some protesters.
Photo: Radio Canada / Rosalie Sinclair
The Parliamentary Protection Service (PPS) is specifically responsible for security on Parliament Hill. The PPS expects around 500 protesters to gather in Ottawa this weekend.
Around noon, SPP officers in yellow bibs made their presence more prominent near the protesters who were near the centenary.
The Ottawa Police Service estimates the protest attracted nearly 200 people at its peak.
For its part, the City of Ottawa By-law Services tweeted early Saturday afternoon that its officers who are conducting their work related to current events downtown are encountering aggressiveness.
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relief
On the political side, Ottawa-Vanier Riding Provincial MP Lucille Collard is satisfied the demonstration is taking place without much overflow.
We’ve had rumors in the past few weeks that another organization is coming, obviously people were looking. To see that finally everything is under control, that it can be more of a manifestation,[…]Its relaxing. We’re talking about what we went through last year, so I think the tools were put in place to avoid a bad day,” she commented.
The same story from Stéphanie Plante, councilor for the Rideau-Vanier district, who believes that the OPS has managed the situation better than it did in 2022.
I think people trust the police a little more than they have in the last few months. But we saw on Rolling Thunder and Canada Day that things just kept getting better, she argued.
Several restrictions are in place in Ottawa this weekend
Traffic delays and parking restrictions on both streets and parking lots are expected in downtown Ottawa this weekend due to the first anniversary of the convoy’s start.
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In a press release issued Thursday, the City of Ottawa said drivers should expect delays due to scheduled downtown events, but gave no further details.
No road closures are planned during activities scheduled for the weekend, although the Ottawa Police Service may impose temporary closures to help manage heavy traffic and ensure the safety of the public and the smooth flow of traffic in accordance with the law, the city had indicated these Week.
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From Friday, January 27 to Sunday, January 29, downtown special parking restrictions will apply in the quadrangle that stretches from Wellington Street to Laurier Avenue between Bronson Avenue and Elgin Street, always according to the City of Ottawa.
By about 5:20 p.m. SPO told Radio-Canada there were no problems to report.
In addition, city officials towed 15 vehicles and filed 81 criminal charges.
In addition, the police issued 20 criminal complaints in the province.
Parking restrictions are in place in downtown Ottawa this weekend due to the first anniversary of the start of the truck convoy.
Photo: Radio Canada / David Bates
Shops and parking lots in the city center closed
Parking spaces are rare in the heart of the federal capital. As early as Saturday morning, the Queen Street car parks were closed to the public and signs outside their entrances indicated they were full.
The untimely return of the protesters on the first anniversary of the start of the truck convoy has meant that some traders did not want to open their doors at the end of the week, according to Marc Chénier, general director of the Regroupement des gens d’affaires de la capital national (RGA).
“It’s reminiscent of a lot of negative things, so today we are where some retailers have already decided to close over the weekend just in case. Others have chosen to take advantage of it. »
— A quote from Marc Chénier, Director General of the RGA
We’re used to the kind of demonstrations we have regularly in Ottawa. […] Dealers are also used to it, he said in an interview on Saturday morning with D’abord l’info. But last year things got out of hand.
Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs has said more than once that protests like last winter are not allowed.
The City of Ottawa By-Law Services also announced Friday that additional officers will be enforcing by-laws downtown.
More details to come.
With information from CBC News, Rosalie Sinclair and D’abord l’info