A further Notice to Demonstrators

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, February 16, 2022   4:53pm 

(Ottawa)—The Ottawa Police Service wants to inform you that under provincial and federal legislation, you will face severe penalties if you do not cease further unlawful activity and remove your vehicle and/or property immediately from all unlawful protest sites. 

• You may be arrested and charged with criminal offences including but not limited to mischief, and potentially charged with a variety of other non-criminal offences.
• Your vehicle and property may be seized or removed.
• Your driver’s licence may be suspended or cancelled.
• CVOR (Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration) certificates may be suspended or cancelled.
• Your personal or business bank accounts, including virtual currency, may be subject to examination and restriction.
• If you bring a minor (a person under 18) with you to an unlawful protest site, you may be charged and fined up to $5000 and/or potentially spend up to five years in prison.
• Those who are delivering fuel and other supplies to those taking part in the unlawful demonstration can be charged.
• Persons traveling to any other unlawful protest sites to participate in or support the unlawful demonstration can be charged.
• Be aware that legislation now prohibits interference with any critical infrastructure including 400-series highways, railways, airports and international border crossings.

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section                  

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, February 16, 2022 10:30 am

Notice to Demonstrators

(Ottawa)—You must leave the area now. Anyone blocking streets, or assisting others in the blocking streets, are committing a criminal offence and you may be arrested. You must immediately cease further unlawful activity or you will face charges. If you are arrested you may be released on bail depending on factors contained in Part XVI of the Criminal Code.

The people of Ottawa are being denied the lawful use, enjoyment and operation of their property and you are causing businesses to close. That is mischief under the Criminal Code.

Charges and/or convictions related to unlawful activity associated with the demonstration may lead to denial in crossing the USA border.

The Federal Emergencies Act allows for the regulation or prohibition of travel to, from or within any specified area. This means that anyone coming to Ottawa for the purpose of joining the ongoing demonstration is breaking the law. The act also provides police with a number of measures including the ability to seize vehicles that are part of this demonstration.

Ontario law (EMCPA) now prohibits interference with any critical infrastructure including 400-series highways, railways, airports and international border crossings. It prohibits you from preventing someone from travelling to or from walkways, bridges and highways (other than 400 series highways) or preventing anyone from using them. It also prohibits someone from seriously interfering with the safety, health or well-being of members of the public.

Anyone who commits these illegal actions could face fines or be required to appear in court. Commercial vehicle drivers’ licences and private drivers’ licences can be suspended or revoked.

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section                  

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, February 9, 2022  2:57pm 

Message to Demonstrators from the Ottawa Police Service

(Ottawa)—It is a criminal offence to obstruct, interrupt or interfere with the lawful use, enjoyment, or operation of property.

The offence is known as mischief to property. 

The unlawful act of blocking streets in the downtown core is resulting in people being denied the lawful use, enjoyment and operation of their property.

We are providing you notice that anyone blocking streets or assisting others in the blocking of streets may be committing a criminal offence.

You must immediately cease further unlawful activity or you may face charges.

You could be arrested without a warrant for this offence if you are a party to the offence or assisting others in the direct or indirect commission in this offence.

Whether you are released on bail depends on factors contained in Part XVI of the Criminal Code.

Offence-related property, including vehicles, may be seized as part of the offence. The vehicles may be detained and, following a conviction, possibly forfeited.

Charges or convictions related to the unlawful activity associated with the demonstration may lead to denial in crossing the USA border.

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section                  

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366