By: Thomas I. Likness
Eagle News Service
(Eagle News) — Police across Canada will be busy this weekend as truck convoys protesting public health restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 are planned for several communities.
The main protest is in Ottawa and is entering its second week.
Police there are worried about violence if counter demonstrations are held.
“This remains, as it was from the beginning, an increasingly volatile and increasingly dangerous demonstration,” said Ottawa Deputy Police Chief Steve Bell.
Bell says more protesters are expected to arrive in the city for the weekend and numbers could more than double.
Police are advising counterprotesters to stay away, saying it will make the situation more manageable.
“They’re frustrated, they’re fed up. They want to see an end to this, and I understand that. My ask is, don’t attempt to protest,” said Bell.
Community activist group Ottawa Horizon says it is not endorsing or attending any counterprotests.
“If you are making a decision to attend such an event, please be aware that these are high-risk events and plan accordingly,” the group posted on Twitter. “Please stay safe.”
Alberta border crossing partially reopened
Meanwhile, in southern Alberta, a convoy of trucks remains parked near the Canada-U.S. border.
Some lanes of traffic have been reopened so cargo can again move between the two countries.
But the blockade has reduced the amount of traffic that can flow across the border and has residents of the border town of Coutts, Alberta virtually trapped in their community.
Police have given no indication of when the blockade may end.
Elsewhere in Canada, convoys of protesters are expected to demonstrate at the Quebec legislature in Quebec City.
In Ontario, Toronto police have blocked off several streets to prevent truck convoys from blocking access to hospitals in the city.
Protesters are expected rally at the Ontario legislature. Health care workers have planned a counterprotest.
Truckers have rallied at the Manitoba legislature in a noisy protest Friday.
Between 50 and 70 vehicles took part in the demonstration, which had no reported incidents of violence.
Police in Edmonton have warned that traffic will be snarled all day Saturday in the downtown area as trucks roll into the area near the Alberta legislature.
And in B.C., trucks are expected to disrupt traffic in Victoria at the provincial legislature.
Some who are fed up with the disruption plan a counterprotest.
(Eagle News Service)