Ontario calls state of emergency amid convoy protests: Here’s what that means

Premier Doug Ford says he will enact orders making it illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along critical infrastructure.

Ontario declared a state of emergency Friday in response to ongoing blockades in Ottawa and Windsor, Ont.

One of the most recent blockades taking place is at the busiest land border crossing in Canada — the Ambassador Bridge.

The bridge links Windsor, Ont., to Detroit, where the blockade has halted some auto output and left officials scrambling to limit economic damage.

A state of emergency, according to Canada’s Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, is a present or imminent event that requires quick action to protect the health, safety and welfare of people and to limit damage to property or the environment.

“The Ambassador Bridge in Windsor alone sees $700 million of two-way trade every single day,” said Premier Doug Ford at a press briefing on Friday, addressing the ongoing blockades. “And that trade employs hundreds of thousands of Ontarians…those jobs feed millions of families. They are a lifeline for our province and its economy.”

Protesters descended on Ottawa two weeks ago as part of a convoy protest against COVID-19 mandates in the country and the demonstrations have since continued to disrupt key locations.

Here’s everything we know about the state of emergency so far.

Ford says he will enact orders making it “crystal clear” that it is illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along critical infrastructure.