Saturday 05 / October / 2024
Ottawa: The mayor of Canadian capital Ottawa declared a state of emergency on Sunday amid trucker protests against COVID-19 restrictions.
Thousands of protesters descended in Ottawa on the weekend, joining a hundred who remained from last weekend.
The demonstrations began as truckers protested against vaccine requirements when crossing the border between the US and Canada, and later turned into a broader protest against COVID-19 restrictions and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government.
Last week, crowdfunding site GoFundMe pulled funds for the protests.
What did Ottawa mayor Jim Watson say?
Mayor Jim Watson said that the declaration highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government.
The declaration gives the city additional powers around procurement and how it delivers services, and may also help the city purchase equipment required by frontline workers and first responders.
Earlier in the day, Watson had described the situation as "completely out of control."
"Clearly, we are outnumbered and we are losing this battle," Watson told local radio station CFRA.
Watson also called the truckers "insensitive," criticizing the noise produced by the protests. According to Watson, protesters have continued "blaring horns and sirens and fireworks, and turning it into a party."
