Ottawa police crackdown on convoy supplies, arrest 7, ticket dozens

Ottawa police started their crackdown on supplies Sunday night, raiding a parking lot used by organizers as a logistical hub to seize litres of fuel and arrest two people for mischief.

Five others were arrested, including two downtown, where police also appeared to be taking fuel used to keep cars idling in the bitter Ottawa cold. Police had earlier in the day threatened arrest for anyone bringing items like gasoline or supplies to protesters and the 500 vehicles downtown.

Police said they have launched more than 60 criminal investigations related to the protest, and issued more than 100 tickets on Sunday alone, including for “excessive honking.” Hundreds more tickets were issues Saturday for red light violations, driving a vehicle on a sidewalk and setting off fireworks, among other offenses.

Even though the local force has been bolstered by more than 100 OPP officers and 250 RCMP officers, Ottawa's state of emergency declaration noted that Watson's decision underlined the need for support from upper levels of governments. 

Earlier Sunday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province has backed Ottawa during the nine-day protest that critics have branded an occupation. 

“While we cannot direct the police, we have provided the City of Ottawa everything they have asked for and will continue to provide whatever support they request,” Ford said in a tweet.

After Watson's announcement, Ford's office said it had nothing to add.

The Prime Minister's Office directed questions to the office of Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, which late Sunday pointed to the extra Mounties sent to Ottawa and said the federal government was ready to provide more help.

“While this past weekend saw peaceful protests in cities across the country, the situation in Ottawa remains very concerning,” Mendicino spokesman Alexander Cohen said in a statement.

Businesses downtown have also closed, including the Rideau Centre mall. Owner Cadillac Fairview cited the ongoing protest late Sunday in deciding to keep the mall closed for the foreseeable future, leaving thousands of employees out of work.

— The Canadian Press