The Ottawa Center, the Canadian Federal Capital, has been paralyzed for two weeks by demonstrators who request the withdrawal of all measures to combat the CVIV-19 epidemic.
Le Monde with AFP
The Prime Minister of Ontario, epicenter of the protest against sanitary measures in Canada, said Friday, February 11, the state of emergency in his province because of the “illegal” demonstrations that have been held for two weeks. “We will take all necessary measures to ensure the reopening of the border. And to the inhabitants of Ottawa besieged, I tell them: We will ensure that you can resume a normal life as soon as possible,” said Doug Ford, a press conference.
The Ottawa Center, the Canadian Federal Capital, located in Ontario, has been paralyzed for two weeks by protesters who request the withdrawal of all anti-Covid-19 sanitary measures and refuse to leave the premises.
They also block the Ambassador Bridge, a key commercial axis that connects Ontario and the American city of Detroit (Michigan). More than 25% of goods exported between the United States and Canada transit there. The White House called on Thursday, Canada to use the “federal powers” to end these convoys, and proposed its “help”.
Two other border axes are blocked: the first, in Emerson, connects Manitoba to the North Dakota, while the second is located in Alberta.
“Go home, now”
“We will do everything you need to end these occupations,” said Ford before going directly to the protesters: “Go home, now.” “We will promulted urgently Orders who clearly say that it is illegal to block and hinder the movement of goods, people and services along the essential infrastructure, “said Ford.
The Prime Minister of Ontario, Conservative, is under the fire of criticisms for several days for his inaction to the protesters, which many attribute to political calculations. He is a candidate for his re-election in June.
Accused of waiting by the opposition, the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, must speak Friday at 8 pm (Paris time) about this crisis.
m. Trudeau again called, Thursday, at the end of the events. “It’s time for it to end, because it hurts Canadians,” he said, but without proposing a concrete action plan. His government has announced that police reinforcements would be sent to blocking places, without giving more details.
So far, the Prime Minister has continued to repeat that his government “would be alongside the courts”, suggesting that the crisis was not the responsibility of the federal.