OTTAWA, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau demanded an end to a protest by hundreds of truckers against Covid-19 restrictions that has paralyzed the capital, as Ottawa’s mayor called on federal authorities for support.
“It has to stop,” Trudeau said during an emergency debate in the House of Commons on his return to parliament after isolating for week due to a positive Covid-19 test.
“This pandemic has sucked for all Canadians,” the premier said, visibly frustrated over the protests that have brought Ottawa to a standstill for more than week.
“But Canadians know the way to get through it is continuing to listen to science, continuing to lean on each other,” he added.
He pledged federal government support “with whatever resources the province and city need,” without elaborating what measures might be planned.
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson earlier urged the federal government to send an additional 1,800 police officers and appoint a mediator to work with protesters to “end this siege” that has infuriated local residents with incessant honking and diesel fumes.
On Sunday, Watson declared a state of emergency in the capital, declaring the protests “out of control.”
The “Freedom Convoy” demonstrations began Jan 9 in western Canada as protests by truckers angry with vaccine requirements when crossing the US-Canadian border.
They have since morphed into broader protests against Covid-19 health restrictions and Trudeau’s government.
With the capital’s center blocked and businesses forced to close, police have come under fire for the protracted crisis.
To up the pressure on protesters, Ottawa police Sunday announced new measures to tame the demonstrations by banning people from bringing fuel and other supplies to the rallies.
“Anyone attempting to bring material supports (gas, etc) to the demonstrators could be subject to arrest,” the police said on Twitter.
Officers have since arrested several people, seized multiple vehicles and issued hundreds of traffic tickets.
Trudeau last week ruled out deploying the army to disperse the protesters “for now,” saying that one must be “very, very cautious before deploying the military in situations against Canadians.”
While only about 10 percent of Canadian adults remain unvaccinated, as many as 32 percent of the population support the anti-mandate protests, according to a recent survey.
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino voiced support for vaccines and hit out at the protests, saying, “We cannot allow an angry crowd to reverse a course that continues to save lives in this last stretch” of the pandemic.
“This should never be a precedent for how to make policy in Canada.” — NNN-AGENCIES
- Latest News
- Most View
Six held with 550 grams of heroin in SaidpurRMCH records two more deaths in Covid-19 unitMomen proposes contact farming deal to South SudanTrudeau says Canada trucker protest ‘has to stop’Malaysia reports 11,034 new COVID-19 infections, 9 more deathsBangla Sign Language Day observed in GaibandhaJapan provides $9m to assist WFP, IOM operating in Bangladesh supportBean cultivation brings smile on Narsingdi char farmer’s faceAustria’s Matthias Mayer defends men’s Olympic super-G title31 more test positive for COVID-19 in C’nawabganjAfrica’s COVID-19 cases pass 10.9 mln: Africa CDCTop US govt science advisor resigns over bullying accusationsUS-born teen Gu wins freestyle gold for China at Beijing OlympicsLockheed Martin wins NASA contract to bring Mars samples back to EarthNew Zealand Covid protest convoy jams streets near parliamentAsian markets mostly rise but inflation data, Fed plans in focusBlockbusters, arthouse films vie for Oscar nods in crowded raceNewcastle face moment of truth as Premier League winter break endsStocks waver as traders eye rate hikes, UkraineTokyo stocks open higherAll News
