Update on Weekend Demonstrations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Saturday, January 29, 2022     2:45pm 

(Ottawa) – A large police and emergency services presence continues in downtown Ottawa to ensure the safety of residents, businesses, and participants during this weekend’s demonstration.

Large crowds have gathered in the area of Parliament Hill as well as heavy trucks and passenger vehicles. Police are making adjustments to manage the changing nature of the demonstration.  A crowd/vehicle estimate will be provided at the end of the demonstrations.

Vehicles are being redirected away from the core to mitigate road safety issues. We are once again asking that people do not come into the core unless it is necessary.

We are aware this demonstration is having a significant impact on local residents and businesses – we are working to mitigate these concerns.

The police response includes officers from RCMP, Toronto, Durham, London, York police service as well as the OPP. Police resources are in place and will remain throughout the demonstration. At this time, the crowds are peaceful and there are no major incidents to report.

Police are working to maintain emergency lanes and any other places that police need to keep clear for public safety. We have and will continue to tow vehicles that obstruct these areas.

Several vehicles parked at the National War Memorial this morning and were immediately towed. Cars are not allowed to park and people will not be allowed to desecrate the Memorial.

Parking along 400 series highways and on/off ramps is prohibited and dangerous – vehicles parking on the ramps will be towed. Pedestrians are not permitted on highways at any time – people walking on the highways will be removed and may face charges. Parking and walking on overpasses create traffic safety risks - exercise caution and allow traffic to pass safely passing vehicles.

This event is having a substantial impact on traffic throughout the downtown area, highways and major arteries. Traffic in the downtown area has been severely impacted.

Do not travel in the downtown core.

We urge everyone to report threats or hate motivated incidents when they happen. If you see something suspicious, call police at 613-236-1222. 

Police and the City of Ottawa will keep the public informed on city-wide traffic and transit. Follow the city’s traffic management tool @Ottawa_Traffic for real-time updates or use a traffic monitoring app like Google or Waze to check for traffic congestion before you travel. 

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section                  

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366