Trucker protests: Ontario calls state of emergency

Ontario has declared a state of emergency in response to two weeks of protests against Covid restrictions.

The order came as demonstrations continue to shut down parts of Ottawa and the Ambassador Bridge, a vital US-Canada trade link.

Blocking crucial infrastructure would be made “illegal” under the order, said Premier Doug Ford.

Protesters could face up to a year in jail and C$100,000 ($79,000; £58,000) in fines.

Mr Ford said the order would apply to anyone impeding the movement of goods, people and services along international border crossings, airports, ports and major highways.

The Canadian province will also provide additional authority so that the personal and commercial licences of protesters who do not comply may be cancelled.

“There will be consequences, and they will be severe,” Mr Ford said on Friday morning.

“To those who have attempted to disrupt our way of life by targeting our lifeline for food, fuel and goods across our borders, to those trying to force a political agenda through disruption, intimidation and chaos, my message to you is this,” Mr Ford said.

“Your right to make a political statement does not outweigh the right of hundreds of thousands of workers to earn their living.”

The country-wide protests against Covid-19 vaccine mandates are poised to enter their third weekend.

A so-called “Freedom Convoy” was organised last month in response to the introduction of a new rule that all truckers must be vaccinated to cross the US-Canada border, or quarantine upon their return. The protest has since grown into a broader challenge to all Covid health restrictions.

The vast majority of Canadian truckers are vaccinated and trucking associations have distanced themselves from the protests, noting most drivers are still working.

Thousands of demonstrators have congregated in central Ottawa, others have blocked the Ambassador Bridge and a handful of other border crossings.

Authorities have warned members of the public to avoid Emerson, a small border town in Manitoba, where trucks and farm equipment are currently clogging the US border.

The trade disruption has been estimated to cost some C$380m ($300m; £221m) each day.

Smaller protests have been held in Toronto and Quebec City, as well as near provincial legislatures in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia.

The mayors of Ontario’s biggest cities issued a joint statement on Monday, condemning the “irresponsible and damaging” actions of the protesters, calling for all governments to bring the demonstrations to a peaceful end.

US officials have urged Canada’s government to use its federal powers to end the blockade – especially of the Ambassador Bridge – which has already hit the automobile industry either side of the border.

The White House said this week that US officials had been engaged with their Canadian counterparts to help resume trade along the border.

Premier Ford’s Friday announcement marks the first state of emergency in the province since April, when Ontario implemented its third emergency order over Covid-19 transmission.

In recent days Mr Ford had faced criticism for not doing more to stop the convoy blockade in Ottawa.

And while he repeatedly the denounced the weeks-long demonstration on Friday, he also indicated the province would be moving to lift existing Covid-19 restrictions, including the vaccine “passport” system which requires proof of vaccination to enter indoor public settings like gyms and restaurants.