The Ottawa convoy has 'shattered norms' for protest in Canada. Will we see more of it?

The scenes that unfolded in downtown Ottawa over the past three weeks have been described by people living there as disruptive and frightening. For people right across the country, they've also been eye-opening. 

Anyone who thought this kind of dug-in, angry occupation of streets in a capital city would never happen in Canada was proven wrong by how quickly and easily Ottawa was brought to a standstill by the so-called Freedom Convoy. 

What's more, as the days of diesel-spewing truck idling and intrusive horn-honking went on, there has been disbelief at how little anyone seemed willing — or able — to do. Peter Sloly resigned as Ottawa police chief on Tuesday, after days of criticism over how the convoys were handled from the beginning. 

The seeming paralysis of the Ottawa police, the lack of early intervention from the premier and the political posturing over substantial action at the federal level to deal with the weeks-long blockade of the streets have led to speculation that the convoy's tactics could become the new norm.

Experts, including some who have spent time in the crowds, say the occupation will probably have some lasting effects, but it is unlikely to become the new face of protest.

It's not known why Ottawa police allowed the convoy protesters to set up where they did in the downtown core or expected them to leave after a few days.

But Regina Bateson, who studies human rights and the political consequences of conflict and violence, says that's a key question.

"I think there needs to be a very active look at what real racial bias or preference may have played in how the group was initially assessed and why they were deemed to be not particularly threatening, even though they clearly are," she said.

"Other protesters, in particular Black and Indigenous groups have been treated much more harshly in the past."

Bateson, an assistant professor of public and international affairs at the University of Ottawa, said the events that unfolded in Ottawa have "shattered norms" and that the participants have established new tactics and "pushed the envelope of the possible in Canada."

"What we've seen in Ottawa is something that had elements of a protest to start with, that then morphed into an illegal occupation, that now has significant foreign involvement, as well as more organized militia-style activity happening," she said. 

She believes other groups are unlikely to succeed if they decide to emulate their tactics.

Protests generally involve the gathering of people to express a collective disagreement about a government policy or something going on in society.

The Anti-Defamation League cites a number of goals a protest can have, including to influence public opinion, draw attention to and share information about a perceived injustice or gain a wider audience for the cause.