Ontario Premier Doug Ford has issued a province-wide state of emergency after more than two weeks of protests against vaccine mandates and Covid-19 restrictions have paralysed parts of the country.
The move allows Mr Ford greater authority to “urgently enact orders that will make crystal clear it is illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along critical infrastructure”, he said at a press conference on Friday.
For five days, protesters associated with the “Freedom Convoy” have blocked the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit, Michigan, effectively shutting down the most important economic artery between the two countries.
The bridge carries 25 per cent of the trade between the US and Canada and has caused major supply chain issues for the car industry.
Mr Ford said it was time to “draw a line” and that the move would protect “international border crossings, 400-series highways, airports, ports, bridges and railways” as well as the operations of “ambulatory and medical services, public transit, municipal and provincial roadways".
The Ontario premier had resisted acting against the protesters for weeks and refused to meet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on multiple occasions.
“This is the very first time we're seeing the province act in a forceful manner,” said Stephanie Chouinard, associate professor at the Royal Military College of Canada and Queen’s University.
Ms Chouinard said the premier should have acted earlier.
Mr Ford, who pleaded with protesters in Ottawa and Windsor to “go home”, referred to the situation in Ottawa as a “siege".
About 400 lorries are currently parked in the capital, obstructing both traffic and business.
News of the decision was met with apathy and derision among the protesters in Ottawa.
“It's a joke,” said lorry driver Steve Carano. “He's making a mess.”
“I think the language he used is escalating more than de-escalating,” said one protester, identifying himself only as Daniel.
“They're not in charge, we're in charge, and that's the whole point of this,” he added.
The chief judge of the Ontario Superior Court issued an injunction on Friday evening to end the blockade at the Ambassador Bridge. Protesters have until 7pm to clear out and allow traffic through.
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A police officer stands guard at Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Willy Lowry / The National. -
A woman carries a sign that says "For Sale: Trudeau." Willy Lowry / The National. -
A man holds a boombox and a Canadian flag. Willy Lowry / The National. -
Three men pose for a picture while attending the anti-vaccine protests in Ottawa. Willy Lowry / The National. -
Thousands of people attend an anti-vaccine mandate protest in Ottawa on Saturday, February, 12. Willy Lowry / The National. -
A man holds a sign reading "A global coup d'etat" at a protest in downtown Ottawa. Willy Lowry / The National. -
Two people pose for a picture while attending the anti-vaccine protest in Ottawa. Willy Lowry / The National. -
Thousands of people protest against government vaccine mandates in front of Peace Tower in Ottawa. Willy Lowry / The National. -
Mike Card, right, poses with two friends. They drove in from Sarnia, Ontario, to support the lorry drivers. Willy Lowry / The National -
A sign that reads 'my body, my choice' sits in front of the Canadian Parliament. Willy Lowry / The National -
A sign thanking drivers hangs on Wellington Street in central Ottawa. Willy Lowry / The National -
A woman waves a Canadian flag in front of Parliament. Willy Lowry / The National -
A woman hands out soup to protesters. Willy Lowry / The National -
A sign calling for an end to mandates sits on the fence around the Canadian Parliament. Willy Lowry / The National -
Police officers stand guard at a city intersection in central Ottawa. Willy Lowry / The National -
A car is decorated with an anti-vaccine sign and both the American and Canadian flags. Willy Lowry / The National -
Donna Curry holds a sing saying 'God keep our land glorious and free' outside of Parliament. Willy Lowry / The National -
Ant-vaccine signs litter and block a city intersection in central Ottawa. Willy Lowry / The National -
Police cruisers block an intersection in central Ottawa. Willy Lowry / The National -
Children play hockey on the street in front of the Canadian Parliament. Willy Lowry / The National -
A man cracks an egg to help prepare food for the protesters. Willy Lowry / The National -
A protester wears a Hockey Canada jersey outside of Parliament. Willy Lowry / The National -
Two men pose outside of Parliament. Willy Lowry / The National -
Signs fill the windshield of a parked lorry in central Ottawa. Willy Lowry / The National -
A giant Canadian flag hangs at an intersection near the Parliament. Willy Lowry / The National -
Portable toilets have been set up near the main protest site in Ottawa. Willy Lowry / The National -
A counter-protester stands near the anti-vaccine protesters in central Ottawa. Willy Lowry / The National -
A man holds a sign criticising Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Willy Lowry / The National
