On Sunday, for the first time since January, the streets around Canada’s parliament in Ottawa were devoid of protesters and trucks, following a police operation that removed the remaining participants of the Freedom Convoy—a movement opposing COVID-related restrictions.
In a three-day enforcement effort, Ottawa police used pepper spray and stun grenades to disperse crowds, towed away over 70 vehicles, and arrested 191 individuals, leading to a total of 389 charges against 103 people. Three primary organizers of the protest were charged with “mischief,” with two now released on bail.
The operation followed a decision by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to freeze 206 bank and corporate accounts linked to the protests, affecting millions in funds. Additionally, the RCMP flagged 253 Bitcoin wallets, preventing local exchanges from processing transactions related to these accounts.
Although the noise of protesting trucks has faded from Ottawa, the repercussions of the month-long protests will linger. The city is now filled with police and barricades instead of demonstrators, while government officials and citizens across Canada grapple with the societal divide left behind.
Protests Against Mandates
The truckers’ protests began on January 28, initially opposing a vaccine mandate for cross-border drivers. Official figures from the Canadian Trucking Alliance indicated that approximately 90% of truckers were already vaccinated, leaving a small group to resist the new requirement.
As the protests expanded, the demonstrators broadened their grievances to include all pandemic-related mandates, gaining diverse support from Canadians frustrated with these restrictions. Donations totaling $8 million were raised through a GoFundMe page established by organizer Tamara Lich.
However, as protests escalated in urban regions, counter-protests emerged, exacerbating tensions. The disruptions were costing the city about $800,000 a day in policing while also impeding U.S. and Canadian trade valued at $350 million daily, prompting government intervention to end the protests.
Legal Actions and Emergency Measures
The Freedom Convoy suffered a setback on February 5 when GoFundMe suspended its fundraising account due to reports of violence and unlawful activities associated with the protest. The platform announced it would refund all raised funds.
Undeterred, protest organizers quickly adapted by launching a cryptocurrency fundraising initiative on Tallycoin, amassing over $500,000 in Bitcoin. Yet, Canadian courts soon targeted these efforts, with authorities enforcing transactions freezes on crypto wallets connected to the protesters.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau officially invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time in Canadian history, empowering law enforcement to take decisive action against the protests. He emphasized that illegal activities jeopardizing public safety could not continue, particularly as blockades obstructed crucial trade routes.
Following the arrest of key protest figures, police enforced removals of demonstrators from the city. On February 19, an extensive police operation forced hundreds of protesters from their camps in downtown Ottawa, using riot gear and crowd control tactics, leading to further arrests and facilitating the city’s return to normalcy.
Current Status and Future Outlook
While the majority of demonstrators have been cleared from Canadian streets, contentious debates around the government’s use of the Emergencies Act are ongoing in parliament. Lawmakers are set to decide whether to ratify the act, which could extend its powers for another 30 days.
Meanwhile, public sentiment appears to be shifting against the protest movement, as recent polls indicate a growing disapproval of the protests and renewed support for mandates related to COVID safety. As Canada gradually eases restrictions, attention turns toward processing the aftermath of the protests, including potential charges against leaders and investigations into the police’s actions.
Interim Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell confirmed that the investigation and efforts to maintain overt law enforcement presence would continue for the foreseeable future.
