Protests against COVID-19 restrictions are starting to threaten the economy. Here are the latest updates
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Protests against COVID-19 mandates continue to snarl the streets of Canada’s capital and cripple cross-border crossings in Ontario and Alberta, blocking vital routes for goods.
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The demonstrations began when the self-described “Freedom Convey” descended on Ottawa on Jan. 28, to protest the federal government’s move to require that Canadian truck drivers crossing the U.S. border be fully vaccinated. It has since evolved into a protest against all public health measures aimed at fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are the latest updates on what is happening across Canada today.
7 a.m.
It could be an eventful day on the blockade front as standoffs loom between protesters and government officials desperate to get the economy moving again.
Windsor, Ontario is seeking a court injunction to end the protest, setting the stage for a potential confrontation with demonstrators. A provincial court will hear the application at 12 p.m. ET today, a city spokesperson told Bloomberg. A court order would clear the path for police to make arrests or tow vehicles to clear the streets, if necessary, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said.
As of 6 a.m. this morning, Canada border services were still listing the Ambassador Bridge, North America’s main land crossing in Windsor, as “temporarily closed.”
The U.S./Canada crossing at Coutts, Alberta, where another protest is going on, is showing seven-hour delays.
Additional reporting by Canadian Press, Reuters and Bloomberg
