Roads stay closed near Queen’s Park as police brace for potential protests

Road closures in and around Queen’s Park will remain in effect for a second day as police brace for the possibility of more protests against public health measures.

Toronto police took a proactive approach on Wednesday afternoon by closing Queen’s Park Circle, from College Street to Bloor Street, to limit the potential effect on roads and residents

In a series of tweets, police said social media posts are circulating about the possible shift from Ottawa to Toronto, and officers are “taking steps to limit impact on our roads/residents” should it become a reality.

“Keeping emergency routes clear and protecting key infrastructure is a priority for officers,” police tweeted.

The move comes after Chris Barber, an organizer of the Ottawa convoy, said in a social media post on Tuesday that the trucks currently parked in the nation’s capital would be moving to Toronto.

“Toronto get ready, it’s going to be epic, we’ve got all these trucks heading your direction,” Barber said.

When contacted on Wednesday, however, Barber told a newspaper reporter that he was just playing a “game” with police.

Toronto police aren’t taking any chances, and they’re advising residents to avoid the area, and say an increased police presence and additional closures are possible.

In an update Wednesday afternoon, Duty Insp. Michael Williams said for now police are not barricading Hospital Row like they did last weekend, but are prepared to “scale up” security measures if necessary.

While Queen’s Park Circle is closed to traffic, Williams said people on foot can still access the area.

“If you are walking on foot, you will be unimpeded,” he said. “Toronto police on a regular basis permit peaceful protests.”

“We are not looking for any type of confrontation but we certainly do have plans in place if there is criminality,” he warned.

“It’s a balance between allowing peaceful protest and upholding the law and ensuring public safety.”

That video saying the convoy may move out of Ottawa and head to Toronto was just “a game”
Star reporter was able to speak with organizer Chris Barber this morning #cdnpoli https://t.co/KjWK7cIEVX

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) February 9, 2022

A trucker convoy protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandates descended on Toronto last weekend, but police closed off roads around Queen’s Park and Hospital Row on University Avenue before it arrived.

Around 2,000 demonstrators attended the Toronto protest last Saturday. Police say they made two arrests, but the event was described as peaceful.