Police increase downtown presence, access to Parliament Hill restricted on anniversary of 'Freedom Convoy' protest
CTV
Ottawa police and Bylaw Services are telling residents and visitors they will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to parking, noise and fireworks violations downtown this weekend, on the one-year anniversary of the 'Freedom Convoy' demonstration.
Access to Parliament Hill will be restricted this weekend and police are promising a zero-tolerance approach to noise, parking and fireworks violations on the one-year anniversary of the 'Freedom Convoy' demonstration.
An increased police presence and parking restrictions are in effect in the Parliamentary Precinct. Ottawa police are vowing to deal with any illegal activity or attempts to block downtown streets with "swift and immediate" action.
Police have not said how many protesters they are expecting downtown this weekend, but the Parliamentary Protective Service issued a "notice of demonstration on Parliament Hill" Friday afternoon saying up to 500 demonstrators are expected downtown Saturday and Sunday. The area councillor says demonstrators have permits for a "dance party" on Parliament Hill, but no permits have been issued by the city.
The PPS says public access to Parliament Hill will be restricted to the Queen's Gates and Metcalfe Gate, while the Bank Gate, O'Connor Gate, Elgin Gate, and Canal Gate will not be accessible to the public.
"All public tours are cancelled," the PPS said, referencing all tours of the House of Commons and the Senate are cancelled for Saturday and Sunday.
Friday afternoon, an increased police presence could be seen at the barriers blocking Wellington Street at Elgin Street. There was also some new bike-rack fencing outside the Senate of Canada building across from the Chateau Laurier Hotel, and placed near the entrances to Parliament Hill.
Police and Bylaw Services are telling residents they will taking a zero-tolerance approach to parking, noise and fireworks violations all weekend, and visitors will see "increased enforcement" in the downtown core all weekend.
