‘I am making that official request’: McKenney calls on RCMP to take over policing at truckers’ protest
Posted Feb 3, 2022 06:52:00 PM.
It’s been six days and nights of “Freedom Convoy” protests and Somerset ward councillor Catherine McKenney is ready to bring in the RCMP.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki on Thursday, February 3, McKenney requested that the RCMP and federal government assume “full operational control of Parliament Hill and the Parliamentary Precinct” so Ottawa’s police service can be freed up to go back into local neighbourhoods to restore peace and enforce laws.
“I am aware that there has been no official request from the City or the Ottawa Police Services for the RCMP to assume responsibility for the Hill, however, as the Councillor for the area, I am making that official request,” they wrote. “We must end the violent occupation of Canada’s capital.”
McKenney said residents are regularly being harassed and “terrorized” by the constant air horns blasting, trucks driving “erratically” on streets, open fires, as well as public urination and defecation.
“All of this continues with impunity because our local police service is leading the operations on Parliament Hill,” they added. “Please do your part to help our urban residents and local businesses by assuming responsibility for what is happening on Parliament Hill.”
McKenney makes the plea ahead of what is expected to be another full weekend of protests in and around Parliament Hill.
Ottawa police said in an update on Wednesday, February 3 that other police services were coming in to help, that include OPP, Toronto, Durham, Gatineau, Sureté du Quebec, Hamilton, London and RCMP.
I have written to @JustinTrudeau & @CommrRCMPGRC on behalf of downtown residents, formally requesting that the RCMP take over policing the Hill with regard to the convoy's occupation to allow Ottawa Police to address the serious safety concerns elsewhere in the downtown #OttNews pic.twitter.com/UKmniQusvJ
— Catherine McKenney (they/them) (@cmckenney) February 3, 2022
