Trudeau set to speak following weekend protests in Ottawa
Posted January 30, 2022 11:47 pm.
Last Updated January 31, 2022 11:26 am.
The prime minister will be delivering remarks to the country on Monday morning as the protest against public health mandates in Ottawa enters its third full day.
The news conference is scheduled for 12 p.m. EST and will be held from an undisclosed location in capital region after Justin Trudeau and his family reportedly had to be moved for security reasons.
Trudeau is sure to address the situation in Ottawa — after days of trucker gridlock, aggressive behaviour, and calls to replace his government.
The Prime Minister will also virtually attend question period as the House of Commons resumes, and Public Safety Minster Marco Mendicino says the Sergeant-at-Arms has issued security guidance to all MPs and staff.
“I can’t emphasize this enough, our number one priority here is to ensure public safety,” Mendicino said.
A lot of the anger at these protests are directed at the prime minister and the federal Liberal government.
The Parliamentary Protective Service tells CityNews it’ll be monitoring the protest and adjusting their security posture as required.
RELATED: Ottawa police investigating ‘illegal behaviour’ of protestors at War Memorial, Fox statue
Several criminal investigations are underway into actions — including the desecration of monuments — during the ongoing protest of vaccine mandates and COVID-19 restrictions, Ottawa police said Sunday.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned some of the weekends actions on Monday.
“The right to peaceful protest is core to our Canadian identity. I was extremely disturbed, however, to see some individuals desecrate our most sacred monuments and wave swastikas and other symbols of hate and intolerance this weekend,” Ford said in a statement.
“That has no place in Ontario or Canada. Not now. Not ever.”
Residents of the capital were again told to avoid travelling to the city centre Sunday as trucks snarled numerous roads. Several city bus routes were redirected to avoid the area around the Hill, and the nearby Rideau Centre shopping mall remained closed after shutting down early on Saturday.
Police redoubled their calls to avoid the downtown area in a statement issued Sunday night.
“Police are aware that many demonstrators have announced their intention to stay in place,” it read. “This will continue to cause major traffic, noise and safety issues in the downtown core.”
The force also estimated the cost of the massive policing effort at more than $800,000 per day.
Parliamentarians, businesses and school administrators were left wondering when the usual rhythm of the frazzled national capital would resume.
Alexandra Maheux, a spokeswoman for government House leader Mark Holland, said the ongoing protest is not interfering with parliamentary business.
“We have important work to accomplish for Canadians in Parliament, and we’re looking forward to getting this done and delivering results,” Maheux said late Sunday.
She noted that MPs have the flexibility to work in a hybrid House in this sitting, which remains in effect until June, to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
“Some MPs will be in the chamber on Monday and beyond, and others will participate virtually,” Maheux said.
A memo circulated Sunday by Patrick McDonell, the House sergeant-at-arms, said security plans were being developed to ensure personal safety.
Holland has scheduled a morning news conference in Parliament’s West Block to discuss the sitting.
He is also likely to face questions about the roaming crowds and ear-splitting truck horns outside on Wellington Street, and just how long the protest will be allowed to continue.
