Demonstrations impacting downtown traffic, protestors call on feds to implement national firefighting agency
Posted Aug 21, 2023 01:51:44 PM.
Last Updated Aug 23, 2023 12:54:55 PM.
Members from the On2Ottawa group demonstrated on Laurier Avenue in front of Ottawa City Hall during the morning commute on Wednesday, Aug. 23.
Supporters of On2Ottawa are demanding the federal government pass appropriate legislation to implement a National Fire-Fighting Agency with 50,000 professional firefighters to tackle Canada’s wildfires.
According to a release from the group, six protestors were arrested by members of the Ottawa Police Service (OPS).
Ordinary Canadians in action with On2Ottawa doing their all to get urgent govt action on climate change, starting with a National Firefighting Agency. #CanadaIsBurning #On2Ottawa pic.twitter.com/G5dFn2Rv48
— On2Ottawa (@on2ottawa) August 23, 2023
Protestors gathered in front of the Chateau Laurier hotel earlier in the week, on Monday, Aug 21.
The Plaza Bridge was blocked by protestors with the group On2Ottawa. Several of the group’s members were arrested during the demonstration according to the Ottawa Police Service (OPS).
According to the OPS, two people were charged with mischief and “further criminal charges may be laid.”
Canada is on fire. Ordinary Canadians from across the country have come to Ottawa to get urgent govt action on the climate crisis. We need a national firefighting agency scaled to match the enormity of our worsening wildfire situation. Join us! https://t.co/k9kUFFUci5 pic.twitter.com/sX8OWDOFgK
— On2Ottawa (@on2ottawa) August 21, 2023
Laura Sullivan, a spokesperson with On2Ottawa told The Sam Laprade Show on Wednesday, Aug. 23 that what the group is doing is “necessary” for people to listen.
“The climate crisis is upon us and our politicians have done nothing,” she added. “We have to take radical action so we can get the public to listen to us.”
Sullivan said On2Ottawa will be demonstrating at different locations in Ottawa over the next three weeks.
“We have tried signing petitions, talking to our MPs and other sorts of advocacy, but nothing has worked,” she said. “Our government is simply not doing enough.”
