Explained: Here's Why There Is A State Of Emergency in Ottawa Amid COVID Protests

On February 6, the mayor of Ottawa, Canada's capital, proclaimed a state of emergency in response to trucker protests against COVID-19 regulations. On the weekend, tens of thousands of demonstrators descended on Ottawa, joining a hundred who stayed from the previous weekend.

Emergency in Ottawa

Truckers started protesting vaccine requirements when crossing the border between the United States and Canada, and the demonstrations grew into a larger protest against COVID-19 regulations and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government. GoFundMe, a popular crowdfunding platform, withdrew cash for the protests last week.

What was Jim Watson's statement?

The proclamation, according to Mayor Jim Watson, emphasises the need for additional jurisdictions and levels of government to join in. The declaration provides the city more authority over procurement and how it delivers services, and it may also assist the city in purchasing equipment that frontline employees and first responders demand.

Reuters

Watson had called the scene "completely out of control" earlier in the day. Watson told local radio station CFRA that "clearly, we are outnumbered and losing this battle." Watson also slammed the truckers, calling them "insensitive" and criticised the protesters' ruckus. Protesters have proceeded to "blare horns, sirens, and fireworks, turning it into a party," according to Watson.

In the meantime, authorities have announced further steps to prevent individuals from assisting the demonstrators. "Anyone attempting to bring material support (gas, etc.) to the demonstrators could be subject to arrest," Ottawa police said on Twitter. Since February 5, police have issued over 450 citations, according to police.

A mass uprising across the country

On February 5, similar protests were held in Toronto, Quebec, and Winnipeg. According to police in Quebec City, 30 large trucks were obstructing a major highway and had been informed that if they did not move quickly, they would face fines.

Reuters

"This is a nationwide insurrection," remarked city council member Diane Deans, describing the protests as "bigger than just a city of Ottawa problem." On February 5, Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly declared the protests a "siege" and requested additional resources. 250 additional policemen from the Canadian Mounted Police will be dispatched to Ottawa.

Support for the protests from Republicans in the US

Members of the Republican Party, including former President Donald Trump, have expressed support for the trucker demonstrations. Trump referred to Justin Trudeau, Canada's prime minister, as a "far left lunatic" who had "destroyed Canada" with "insane COVID mandates."

On February 6, a former US ambassador to Canada criticised such sentiments, saying that the US should refrain from intervening in its neighbour's domestic issues. "Canada U.S. relations used to be mainly about solving technical issues," Hayman tweeted.

"Today Canada is unfortunately experiencing radical US politicians involving themselves in Canadian domestic issues," he added. "Trump and his followers are a threat not just to the U.S. but to all democracies."

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