Speaker cancels Emergencies Act debate on Friday due to 'police operation'
Ottawa police have begun a sweep of protesters who have occupied the city core for weeks
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OTTAWA – The House of Commons will not be sitting on Friday and parliamentarians are exhorted to avoid downtown Ottawa due to a police operation to remove Freedom Convoy protestors throughout the day.
“A police operation is expected to take place on Wellington Street and other locations in the downtown core of Ottawa,” Speaker Anthony Rota warned in an email to parliamentarians Friday morning.
“Given these exceptional circumstances, and following discussion with all recognized party leadership, the sitting today is cancelled. More information will follow.
Hours later, Ottawa police said officers have begun arresting more anti-vaccine mandate protesters in the city core and advising others to exit the parliamentary precinct.
MPs were expected on Friday to continue the debate on the Liberal government’s invocation of the Emergencies Act to deal with Freedom Convoy protests across the country. Government House leader Mark Holland said today’s pause will not affect the outcome — MPs who want to speak will have a chance to do so, possibly as soon as Saturday, and a vote on the Emergencies Act motion will take place early next week.
The Speaker’s email advises that any MP or staffer who is not already at the House of Commons precinct on Friday morning should “stay away of the downtown core until further notice.”
“Should you be already in the precinct, please remain in the building and await further instructions from Parliamentary Protective Service’s officers,” Rota wrote.
“The continued presence of vehicles and demonstrators associated with the convoy, alongside police operations, will impact the downtown core.”
NDP House leader Peter Julian, in a tweet, says that he and his counterparts from other parties agreed around 4:30 a.m. EST to cancel the sitting scheduled to start at 7 a.m. EST.
Julian adds that it is everyone’s hope that the convoy protesters leave peacefully in the coming hours.
After police arrested two organizers of the so-called Freedom Convoy Thursday night, and arrested one other, denizens of the downtown encampment appear alert to the possibility of more police action Friday.
Ottawa police Friday morning say organizer Chris Barber, 46, has been charged with counselling to commit mischief, counselling to disobey a court order and counselling to obstruct police.
Barber said he was walking down the sidewalk with other truckers when a police car pulled up behind him and two officers called out his name and handcuffed him, said lawyer Keith Wilson, who has been working with protest organizers.
Police also confirmed fellow organizer Tamara Lich, 49, has been charged with counselling to commit mischief.
Police said she and Barber have court appearances Friday.
With additional reporting from The Canadian Press
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