Downtown Ottawa 'out of control' with convoy protesters 'calling the shots': mayor

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson says downtown Ottawa is 'out of control' as the trucker convoy protest and occupation is now in its 10th day.

Hundreds of trucks remain parked on Parliament Hill and through the Parliamentary Precinct this morning.  Police and city officials are urging people to avoid the downtown core, and warn roads and interprovincial bridges could be closed again today to slow the flow of vehicles into the downtown core.

Speaking on Newstalk 580 CFRA's CFRA Live with Andrew Pinsent Sunday morning, Watson said it's apparent the protesters have taken over the core.

"The situation at this point is completely out of control because the individuals with the protest are calling the shots," Watson said. "They have far more people than we have police officers and I've indicated to the chief that we have to be much more nimble and proactive when it comes to these activities."

Watson mentioned the wooden structure protesters built at Confederation Park, which has become a "community kitchen." He said more should have been done to stop that sooner.