UPDATE: Potential for police action has Children’s Aid urging parents at convoy to make arrangements for kids

Mayor Jim Watson's thoughts have been added to the story below.

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The Children’s Aid Society is urging parents at the truck convoy demonstration in downtown Ottawa to make “necessary alternate arrangements” should they become unable to care for their kids following potential police action.

The message to parents came on Wednesday, February 16, underlining that the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa (CASO) has a mandate to protect children if their parents become unable to do so.

“If parents and children are separated following police efforts in ending the demonstration in the downtown core, CASO will work to reunite families as soon as possible,” the note said.

Earlier on Wednesday, protesters were handed flyers from the Ottawa Police Service telling them to leave the area “now.”

“Anyone blocking streets, or assisting others in blocking streets, is committing a criminal offence and you may be arrested,” the flyer read. “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 Emergencies Act, which was put in place by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, outlines that bringing children to the anti-government blockades could net protesters a fine of up to $5,000 or five years in prison.

The same punishment would apply to anyone violating any of the rules, like participating in the protest directly, bringing aid such as food or fuel to those involved, and more.

Speaking on The Sam Laprade Show on Wednesday, February 16, Mayor Jim Watson said he questions the parents' decision to have their kids at the protest. 

“They should get their kids, hop in their trucks, go back to their own communities and put their children back to school,” he said. “This is really the height of irresponsibility to put children in harm’s way, or almost using them as some kind of a shield against police action.”

Children's safety, he added, should be paramount for both police officers and parents at the convoy.

“Who would put their children in this kind of danger? And even just the site — it’s completely unhealthy. You have people urinating and defecating in the street, cooking meals with no proper sanitation whatsoever. It really is a sad situation that some of these people think they’re making progress. They’re just making more and more people angry.”

In Watson's opinion, he said he thinks protesters have lost support, and continue to lose support as more time drags on. 

“They’ve lost, I think, the battle in terms of what they’re even here for. Most people forgot what they even came for — they look like they’ve come for a party.”

He added, “It really is an ugly side of our country that has exposed itself to being just that: ugly and insensitive to fellow Canadians.”