Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloli said during an emergency meeting of the service that his agency did not have enough forces at its disposal to stop the demonstrations of truckers. On February 6, more than 7 thousand demonstrators gathered in the city center, 500 heavy trucks accumulated in the protest zone, blocking the road. According to Sloli, additional resources are needed.

In total, about 500 officers have been involved in law enforcement during the ongoing protests. Hundreds of other law enforcement officials from other Canadian cities were deployed to help the Metropolitan Police.

Sloli acknowledged the mistakes made by the police in responding to the dangerous situation and added that he did not know when the demonstrations might end. Metropolitan Police Service Board Chair Diane Deans said the protesters pose a threat to Canadian democracy: "What we're seeing is not just a problem for the city of Ottawa. It's a nationwide insurrection. It's crazy."

Since January 29, large-scale truckers have been protesting in many Canadian cities against the coronavirus restrictions imposed in mid-January by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. They require all unvaccinated truck drivers crossing the Canada-U.S. border to be quarantined upon return to Canada.

On January 30, it became known that for security reasons, Trudeau left his residence in Ottawa.

bbabo.Net