City and OPS outline plans for Canada Day

With in-person Canada Day celebrations in full swing this year for the first time since 2019, the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) are outlining plans for the July 1 festivities in the capital. 

In a media briefing on Monday, June 27, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said any illegal activity in the downtown core during Canada Day celebrations will not be tolerated. 

“Those people who are coming here to disrupt the wonderful celebrations will be dealt with with the full force of the law,” said Mayor Watson. “There won't be any warnings and second chances. If the law is broken, regardless who breaks it, there will be consequences.”

This year, the celebrations will be held at LeBreton Flats Park and Place des festivals Zibi on July 1, rather than the usual location on Parliament Hill. LeBreton Flats will host the daytime ceremony and evening show, while other programming will be held at the Place des festivals Zibi.

The City of Ottawa is organizing a motor vehicle control zone in downtown Ottawa over the Canada Day weekend in anticipation of any vehicle protests in the area. 

A motor vehicle control zone will be in effect from Wednesday, June 29 at 8 a.m. until Monday, July 4 at 6 a.m and stretches from Booth Street in the west, Laurier Avenue to the south, and Sussex Drive and Colonel By Drive in the east. 

Kim Ayotte, the City of Ottawa's general manager of emergency and protective services said the motor vehicle control zone could change. 

“It's an ongoing discussion with regards to what could be added, and what streets might be added, and I can tell you right now we are having those discussions regarding other areas such as the ByWard Market,” he said. 

In-person Canada Day celebrations will return to #OttCity and result in some road closures and restrictions.
To learn more about traffic impacts across the city, including the motor vehicle control zone downtown, visit: https://t.co/ErH0FTt5lq pic.twitter.com/jMES6gpRHS

— City of Ottawa (@ottawacity) June 23, 2022

Steve Bell, OPS interim police chief, said the city is expecting larger crowds for Canada Day this year, adding that the OPS and its partners have developed plans “in the shadow of the unlawful protests and the 'Rolling Thunder' event.”

Bell said multiple services, including the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Royal Canadian Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are offering support. 

Freedom rally events are set to take place in Ottawa in late June through the rest of the summer for what organizers say are to protest remaining COVID-19 pandemic-era restrictions.

Fencing already going up in front of the Supreme Court and front lawn of Parliament Hill in advance of Canada Day celebrations and another convoy protest. City & police say they will have no tolerance for unlawful activity #cdnpoli
Story here : https://t.co/kmpLZXalwP pic.twitter.com/svpgzx0BNA

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) June 27, 2022

“We have the people, the skills and the equipment to ensure these events are safe and peaceful,” he added. “The Ottawa Police Service and its partners have built a comprehensive public safety plan to ensure all residents and visitors can celebrate Canada Day this week.”

Catherine McKenney, city councillor for Somerset ward and mayoral candidate for this fall's municipal election, told The Rob Snow Show on Monday, June 27 that safety of residents is top of mind for many. 

“I know preparations have been ongoing,” said McKenney. “Unlike late January and early February where they seemed to be no planning, there seems to be a plan in place.”

Listen to the full interview with Coun. Catherine McKenney below: