Ontario declares an emergency over truck blockades in Canada

Ontario’s premier has declared a state of emergency Friday in reaction to the truck blockades in Ottawa and at the U.S. border and says he will urgently press for new legislation cracking down on those who interfere with the free flow of goods and people

TORONTO -- Ontario’s premier declared a state of emergency Friday in reaction to the truck blockades in Ottawa and at the U.S. border and said he will urgently press for new legislation cracking down on those who interfere with the free flow of goods and people.

Since Monday, scores of truck drivers protesting Canada's COVID-19 restrictions and railing against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have bottled up the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor to Detroit. And hundreds of others have paralyzed downtown Ottawa over the past two weeks.

Premier Doug Ford said he will convene the provincial cabinet on Saturday to enact orders that make it “crystal clear” it is illegal to block critical infrastructure.

“We are now two weeks into the siege of Ottawa," Ford said. “It’s an illegal occupation. It’s no longer a protest.”