Ontario Government Declares Provincial State of Emergency Over Protests and Blockades

The Ontario Government has declared a state of emergency regarding the protesters and ending the blockade at key border crossings in the province announced on Friday.

Truckers from all over the country began rolling into Ottawa to protest on Jan. 28. Screenshot.

Increased fines and penalties on protesters including a maximum penalty of $100,000 and up to a year of imprisonment are placed for any non-compliers.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford calls the gathering a “siege” rather than a protest. He is urging anyone remaining to go back home in order to minimize harm as the government got the message sent by the protest.

“With a protest, you peacefully make your point and you go back home and I know the vast majority of the people did that,” he said. “You’ve been heard loud and clear. Canada has heard you. I urge you, it’s time to leave and it’s time to do so peacefully.”

Ontario and Alberta have had several blockades with the "Freedom Convoy" in Ottawa protesting against vaccine mandates for truckers beginning two weeks ago.

Ontario will provide additional authority to revoke personal and commercial licences to anyone who fails to comply as temporary measures according to Ford. He stated the government "has every intention" to make them permanent into new legislation in the future.

"We are taking the steps necessary to support our police as they do what it takes to restore law and order," said Ford.

The state of emergency declaration will last for 42 hours as the cabinet will meet on Saturday to amend it if necessary.

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said the RCMP will send more resources to end the blockades in Ottawa, Windsor, Ont., and Coutts, Alta.

Mendicino claims to be in "consistent contact" with Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones to coordinate their response in Ottawa for police backup.

Ottawa had previously requested 1,800 more officers from the Ontario and federal governments with 250 RCMP officers deployed.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau give remarks in Ottawa on Friday afternoon regarding the protests and blockades across Canada.

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