Ontario government says police will take 'appropriate action' as 'Freedom Convoy' heads to Toronto
The Ontario government said police are prepared to take “appropriate action” to keep communities safe ahead of planned protests against vaccine mandates set to take place in Toronto this weekend.
“We are aware of potential further protests in other parts of the province, including the Greater Toronto Area. As with any major demonstration, local police will take the appropriate action to keep their communities safe, “ Solicitor General Sylvia Jones said in a statement Thursday afternoon.
Jones’ 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. A statue of Terry Fox was also defaced and the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at the National War Memorial was desecrated. Ottawa police have laid some charges and issued tickets related to those incidents.
Earlier in the week, officials confirmed they were investigating incidents of threatening behaviour as well as the desecration of monuments.
While Jones said the government does not interfere with police operations, she offered provincial support, which she said is standing by and ready to assist local police if needed. However, Jones did not disclose what kind of support would be available.
“Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy,” Jones said. “However, criminal behaviour is never tolerated, and hatred or intolerance must be condemned by all.”
On Thursday morning, Toronto Mayor John Tory said he supports police “doing everything they can” to protect residents and minimize the impact of potential demonstrations.
“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.”
Toronto’s mayor said his position is clear – everything must be done to avoid the situation Ottawa currently faces with a gridlocked downtown and residents describing the city as “living hell.’’
Tory said he met with City Manager Chris Murray, Chief Matthew Pegg and and Police Chief James Ramer this morning ahead of the planned weekend protest.
Tory warned that protesters at Queen’s Park cannot block off access to the nearby row of hospitals. He said people seeking emergency care, along with front-line workers, need to be able to safely access their workplaces. “That is a must,” he said.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Toronto police said anyone who attempts to disrupt a hospital operation will be subject to enforcement, although they did not specify what that would entail.
Police said road closures are planned to protect hospital routes for patients and health-care workers.
“This remains a priority for police," officials said in the statement.
Details on planned closures will be released ahead of the weekend, according to Toronto police.
“Hate and interference with hospitals will not be tolerated,” city councillor Joe Cressy said in a social media post on Thursday, echoing the mayor’s sentiment.
Tory said a public update is planned to take place Friday on what the protests could mean for residents and businesses as the city marks its first weekend since the latest round of relaxed pandemic restrictions.
“The notion that any protests would keep these businesses, which have been hard hit by the pandemic, from being open or drive customers away is also unacceptable,” Tory said.
Toronto Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson said “great thought and consideration” is going into the city’s planning for this weekend while on NEWSTALK 1010’s Moore in the Morning on Thursday.
At this point in time, Thompson said he could not reveal details regarding current discussions, but he said it appears that political leadership in Ottawa has left the ongoing protests to the police chief to handle.
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie addressed the potential demonstrations set for Toronto at a news conference on Thursday. “We're all frustrated,” Crombie said.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion and the right to free speech. But when people start sharing messages that encourage violence, waving symbols of hate, desecrating sacred war monuments, vandalizing the statue of hero Terry Fox, that's where I draw the line,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.5346613.1719853464!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
If you qualify for this tax credit, you can expect a payment in your bank account this week
The next quarterly GST/HST tax credit payment is expected to go out this week, according to the Canada Revenue Agency.
U.S. Supreme Court rules Trump has immunity for official, not private acts
The U.S. Supreme Court found on Monday that Donald Trump cannot be prosecuted for any actions that were within his constitutional powers as president, but can for private acts, in a landmark ruling recognizing for the first time any form of presidential immunity from prosecution.
These ultraprocessed foods may shorten your life, study says
Eating higher levels of ultraprocessed food may shorten lifespans by more than 10 per cent, according to a new, unpublished study of over 500,000 people whom researchers followed for nearly three decades.
WATCH: Ode to Newfoundland rings out at emotional internment of Unknown Soldier
As part of the emotional ceremony honouring Newfoundland and Labrador's Unknown Soldier, the province's national anthem, The Ode to Newfoundland, was sung. Military members received special permission from defence officials to salute the Ode.
This 12-year-old memorized the periodic table at age two. He's heading to NYU after finishing high school in just two years
Recent high school graduate Suborno Isaac Bari, 12, plans to start studying math and physics at New York University in the fall, but he’s already got his ambitious sights set on beginning a doctoral program.
Judge calls Jeffrey Epstein 'most infamous pedophile in American history' as he releases transcripts
A Florida judge released Monday afternoon the transcripts of a 2006 grand jury investigation that looked into sex trafficking and rape allegations made against the late millionaire and financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Eddie Murphy is still stung by that David Spade joke on 'Saturday Night Live'
Eddie Murphy is reflecting on some of the “cheap shots” he feels he’s taken over the years.
Possible indecent gesture at Euro 2024 game under investigation
England star Jude Bellingham is being investigated by UEFA over a potentially offensive gesture made during a European Championship win against Slovakia.
On July 1, 1916, a generation of Newfoundlanders died in one brief battle
Millions are celebrating Canada’s 157th birthday this year -- as they do every year -- with fireworks, food and family. In Newfoundland, it is a day of mourning for one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.