Toronto mayor says police to do 'everything they can' to protect safety ahead of potential 'freedom convoy' Saturday

Toronto Mayor John Tory said he supports police “doing everything they can” to protect residents and minimize the impact of planned protests against vaccine mandates set to take place in the city this weekend.

“I want to be absolutely clear,” Tory said on Thursday morning ahead of a city council meeting. “I support Toronto police taking necessary action to prepare for this possible protest with a focus on doing everything they can to protect the safety of Toronto residents and businesses and to minimize any disruptions to those Toronto residents and businesses to the greatest extent possible.”

Tory’s remarks come as Ottawa approaches a second weekend of truck horns blaring through the streets of the capital’s downtown core. For days, demonstrators have gathered to oppose a cross-border vaccine mandate and other public health restrictions.

Since Saturday, crowds have dwindled from thousands to hundreds, but police said the situation is still “intolerable” on Wednesday.

The demonstration came under fire after some members were seen holding signs and flags with hateful symbols. Ottawa police have also laid some charges and issued tickets related to the protests.