Canada’s banking industry will carry out emergency orders to stop trucker convoy

Cell Tower PHOENIX - For a number of Americans, their current smartphones will stop working this year, as major cell service providers say they will switch off their 3G network, also referred to on some websites as the 3G sunset.Here's what you need to know to plan ahead.According to officials with the FCC, mobile carriers "periodically shut down older services, such as 3G, to free up spectrum and infrastructure to support new services, such as 5G.""Mobile carriers have the flexibility to choose the types of technologies and services they deploy, including when they decommission older services in favor of newer services to meet consumer demands," read a portion of the FCC website dedicated to the pending 3G shutoff.FCC officials say similar network transitions have happened before, such as the switchoff of 2G networks by some mobile carriers when their networks were being upgraded to support 4G services.Officials with AT&T say their 3G network has been phased out, effective Feb. 22.T-Mobile has a more complicated schedule in their 3G network switchoff.

Tuesday’s throne speech was used as a rally cry for another convoy protest that converged on the Alberta legislature. As Dan Grummett explains, there was noticeably less honking than in recent weekend demonstrations, but still plenty of frustration in the air.

City of Hamilton’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for municipal employees will be staying put for now, despite Ontario’s chief medical officer of health suggesting such policies are no longer required.Dr. Kieran Moore said last week that he thinks the period of highest COVID-19 risk is over and that means workplace vaccination policies are “no longer necessary” and recommended that they be removed by March 1 — the same day the province’s proof-of-vaccination system is lifted.During a media briefing on Tuesday, Mayor Fred Eisenberger said the city will be reviewing the policy but there are currently no plans to lift it.

Isabelle Jacques, the Assistant Deputy Minister, Financial Sector Policy Branch at the Department of Finance, said Tuesday during a finance committee meeting on the trucker protests that the invocation of the Emergencies Act allowed the federal government to capture funds from crowdfunding platforms and payment service providers which previously didn’t fall under current proceeds of crime or terrorism laws.

Isabelle Jacques, the Assistant Deputy Minister, Financial Sector Policy Branch at the Department of Finance, said Tuesday during a finance committee meeting on the trucker protests that she wasn’t aware of any situation that banks would notify an account holder prior to their account being frozen under the Emergencies Act.

Conservative MP Greg Mclean, during a finance committee meeting on the trucker protests on Tuesday, argued that the freezing of an individual’s bank account is fundamentally against their rights according to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Isabelle Jacques, the Assistant Deputy Minister, Financial Sector Policy Branch at the Department of Finance, said Tuesday during a finance committee meeting on the trucker protests that anyone who donated to the trucker convoy protests after Feb. 15 could have their bank accounts frozen, but those who may have donated prior will not have their accounts frozen.

Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” that blockaded the nation’s capital for three weeks, was denied bail by an Ottawa judge on Tuesday over “grave” offences.

One person is in custody amid an ongoing operation with a heavy police presence at the Rideau Centre in downtown Ottawa.

Cam Guthrie has once again announced plans to end the city’s state of emergency put in place at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.In a news release on Tuesday, the city said the decision to end the state of emergency on March 1 has been made in consultation with the medical officer of health and the city’s emergency operations control group. Guelph facilities moving to next phase of reopening “This is one more milestone in our journey to recovery from the pandemic,” Guthrie said.“But our recovery is only possible if we continue to follow public health guidelines: keep wearing a mask, continue social distancing, and get vaccinated.

Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” that blockaded the nation’s capital for three weeks, will remain behind bars after an Ottawa judge denied her bail.“These offences are grave,” said the presiding judge ruling on the bail application.Lich was arrested on Thursday evening as law enforcement in Ottawa began a major push that lasted through the weekend to clear out the convoy blockade following the invocation of the Emergencies Act.In a video posted by the convoy’s official Twitter page, Lich could be seen being led away by officers and saying “hold the line.” Tamara Lich, convoy organizer, arrested amid ‘major’ push to oust blockade The judge referenced that comment during the bail hearing.“You have had plenty of opportunity to remove yourself and even others from this criminal activity but obstinately chose not to, and persistently counselled others not to either,” the judge said, adding that “this community has already been impacted enough.”The Crown is also seeking a non-communication order that would bar Lich from any communications with  three fellow convoy organizers and leaders: Chris Barber, Pat King and B.J. Dichter.Barber is charged with counselling to commit the offence of mischief, counselling to commit the offence of disobey court order, counselling to commit the offence of obstruct police.He was granted bail on Friday.

Tamara Lich, one of the leading organizers behind protest against COVID-19 restrictions and the Liberal government on Parliament Hill.Lich, who was arrested last Thursday and charged with counselling to commit mischief, appeared before Ontario Court Justice Julie Bourgeois in a bail hearing on Saturday.During that hearing, Lich promised to give up her advocacy of the protest and return to Alberta. The judge reserved her bail decision on Lich.Patrick King, another prominent figure connected to the demonstrations, is also scheduled for a bail hearing today in Ottawa.King, 44, was arrested on Friday and faces charges of mischief, counselling to commit mischief, counselling to commit the offence of disobeying a court order and counselling to obstruct police.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his troops to “maintain peace” in the eastern Ukraine regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, areas he now recognizes as independent. As Jackson Proskow reports, Putin is only stoking fears he’s preparing for a full-blown invasion.

After more than 24 hours, he and a group of other South Asian Canadian truckers approached authorities to find out when they could pass.“That’s when another guy, he came out of his truck and he was, like, being racist. He was saying, ‘Go back to your truck, go back to India,”’ recalled Singh, a 28-year-old driver from Edmonton.Disturbed, he and his co-driver set out for another crossing — an option unavailable to some, since oversize loads can only move through certain checkpoints — on a route that added more than 500 kilometres to their trip.

COVID-19: Quebec opposition says it’s time to end state of emergency The Barreau du Québec said Monday it’s time the government explain why it still needs emergency powers.“Does the current situation require keeping the state of emergency?” Catherine Claveau, head of the bar association, wrote in a statement. “Are the measures that will be maintained during the deconfinement plan justified? To answer these questions, the government must provide clear justifications for maintaining some ‘exceptional rules.”’Over the past two years, the Quebec government has used emergency powers to impose curfews, ban private gatherings and close businesses such as restaurants, bars and gyms.

The blaring horns and snarled streets of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” blockade in Ottawa are no more, but on Monday Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested the work to heal the pandemic divisions in the country that the convoy exposed must now begin.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested on Monday that while protests surrounding Parliament Hill in Ottawa have mostly dispersed and the horns are no longer sounding, the work to heal the pandemic divisions in the country that the convoy exposed must now begin.

Ottawa for the first time in more than three weeks on Sunday as police continued their efforts to put a final end to anti-government demonstrations that immobilized the national capital.Roadways once choked with trucks and protesters opposed to COVID-19 public health measures and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government were largely clear, though debris and other signs of the blockade dubbed an illegal occupation by its critics were still in evidence.Ottawa Police, working in tandem with forces from across the country, said they’d arrested 191 people and laid 391 charges related to the demonstrations, though Ottawa Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said the mammoth law enforcement operation was far from over.“There is another phase that will identify how we maintain the streets, how we eventually demobilize, once we’ve identified that there is no threat of further protests coming to our city,” Bell said at a news conference. “We aren’t there yet.” Ottawa’s convoy occupation mostly clear, but police ‘not done’ with operation yet Bell said charges laid to date include obstructing police, disobeying a court order, assault, mischief, possessing a weapon and assaulting a police officer.Law enforcement is “with every hour” getting closer to delivering on its promise to clear streets and give them back to residents, he added.Chris Harkins, deputy commissioner with the Ontario Provincial Police, said commercial and private vehicle driver’s licenses have been suspended, while 76 vehicles have been seized and towed in Ottawa.But the massive enforcement blitz also drew attention from Ontario’s police watchdog on Sunday.

WASHINGTON - An organizer of one of the truck convoys headed to D.C. later this week says there are plans to shut down the Capital Beltway.Download the FOX 5 DC News App for Local Breaking News and Weather"We will be along the Beltway where the Beltway will be shut down," Bob Bolus said in an interview Sunday.Bolus owns a truck parts and towing business in Scranton.

Omicron BA.2 is more transmissible than the previously identified BA.1 subvariant, it will not cause another surge, the official asserted. 

The Queen is reportedly set on continuing with her royal duties despite battling Covid-19 behind closed doors. Buckingham Palace confirmed that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 95, caught the deadly bug on 20 February as they released a statement explaining that she's been experiencing "mild cold symptoms". While she remains in isolation as she recovers from the virus, the Queen will only cancel one face-to-face appointment and go ahead with her scheduled meetings over phone and video calls this week, according to the Daily Mail.

Emergencies Act helped end the Ottawa blockades, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said on Sunday ahead of a House of Commons vote on the controversial measure.Conservatives, however, are highly critical of the government move and some are pushing the Liberals to revoke the act now that blockades that effectively shut the city down for more than three weeks appear to be over.There is one day left of debate on the government’s decision to invoke the act.MPs will vote on the motion Monday at 8 p.m. ET, and it is expected to pass with the joint support of the Liberals and NDP.

Covid-19 vaccine Covovax for the 12 to 17 year age group, reported PTI, quoting sources, on Monday. 

Police have cleared the main convoy protest zone, as MPs continue to debate invoking the Emergencies Act for the first time. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair about the police clearing out the main area of the Ottawa convoy protest.

Steve Fonyo, the B.C. cancer survivor who ran across Canada with a prosthetic leg a teen has died at 56, friends and family have confirmed.

The federal government will continue to implement never-before-used powers under the Emergencies Act as long “as they are required” to help end the illegal blockade of the national capital, Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair has said.

A rise in problem drinking during the Covid lockdown is being tackled by the Scottish whisky industry.

Many residents of Ottawa are breathing a sigh of relief tonight after three weeks about complaints of harassment, noise and unease during the demonstration. Sean O’Shea joins us from inside the security zone.

For the first time in more than three weeks the streets of downtown Ottawa are largely quiet and calm. The police operation isn’t over yet as officers remain in the area around Parliament Hill clearing out the last of the protesters and working to ensure they can’t return.

Ottawa’s Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said Sunday that they “have active intelligence investigations ongoing to ensure we know people are leaving, if they are trying to amass again to return to the downtown core,” adding “we are attempting to keep tabs on those that are leaving and potentially massing to come back.

Ottawa’s Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said on Sunday that police continued to have “major issues with a group of dispersed protesters” on Saturday night who exhibited “unruly behaviour” with officers who were attempting to install barriers and fencing.

.On Saturday, it was announced that Justin Bieber's Sunday show in Las Vegas is being postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak within Bieber's team.«Due to positive COVID results within the Justice Tour family, we will, unfortunately, have to postpone Sunday's show in Las Vegas,» an account the  said in a statement on Instagram. «Justin is, of course, hugely disappointed, but the health and safety of his crew and fans is always his number one priority.»The performance has been rescheduled for June 28 and tickets for the original show will be honored.

Las Vegas Beliebers will have to wait till June to see Justin Bieber on his Justice World Tour.

.On Saturday, it was announced that Justin Bieber's Sunday show in Las Vegas is being postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak within Bieber's team.«Due to positive COVID results within the Justice Tour family, we will, unfortunately, have to postpone Sunday's show in Las Vegas,» an account the  said in a statement on Instagram. «Justin is, of course, hugely disappointed, but the health and safety of his crew and fans is always his number one priority.»The performance has been rescheduled for June 28 and tickets for the original show will be honored.

Freedom Convoy” that has occupied the Canadian capital for 24 days.Police arrested some protesters that were wearing body armour and had smoke grenades on them. They also had miscellaneous fireworks in their bags, the police said.As of Saturday evening, a total of 170 arrests were made.In statements posted on Twitter on Saturday, Ottawa police described encounters with the convoy demonstrators as “assaultive” and “aggressive.” Ottawa police arrest 170 amid push to clear convoy blockade As a result, officers on the ground were equipped with helmets and batons for their own safety.Police continue to urge the crowds to leave peacefully.In the West Block, MPs in the House of Commons resumed their debate Saturday on the government’s invocation of the Emergencies Act that had to be paused Friday because of security concerns.The debate is scheduled to continue on Sunday and Monday, with a final vote set for 8 p.m.

Freedom Convoy” blockade that has paralyzed the nation’s capital for the past three weeks.On Sunday morning, officers were back at the protest site near Parliament Hill, where a convoy of protesters, many of them truckers, have been demonstrating against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other public health measures.At total of 191 people have been arrested since Friday, while dozens of vehicles, including many large trucks, either pulled out on their own or were towed away. Ottawa police use anti-riot weapons on convoy protesters, arrest 170 In a series of Tweets on Sunday, Ottawa police warned protesters they “will actively look to identify” them and follow up with financial sanctions and criminal charges.It urged residents to avoid the downtown area and to remove all vehicles parked on streets between Metcalf and Bay, and Albert and Gloucester.To prevent protesters from reclaiming territory, officers installed fencing around the demonstration site on Sunday.“We continue to maintain a police presence in and around the area of the unlawful protest occupied,” Ottawa police said in a Tweet.“We are using fences to ensure the ground gained back is not lost.”Things had been very quiet here downtown.

COVID.Downing Street has said that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will reveal details of his “living with COVID” plan on Monday (February 21) – outlining that factors such as vaccination, testing, and anti-viral drugs will be enough to keep people safe, rather than expecting infected people to stay at home.Self-isolation regulations for those who test positive and their close contacts are expected to cease by the end of this week.“COVID will not suddenly disappear, and we need to learn to live with this virus and continue to protect ourselves without restricting our freedoms,” said Johnson. “We’ve built up strong protections against this virus over the past two years through the vaccine rollouts, tests, new treatments and the best scientific understanding of what this virus can do.”He added: “Thanks to our successful vaccination programme and the sheer magnitude of people who have come forward to be jabbed, we are now in a position to set out our plan for living with COVID this week.”Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary told BBC‘s Sunday Morning today (February 20) this was “declaring victory before the war is over”, that ending mandatory self-isolation was “not the right thing to do” and that this was a distraction from the ongoing ‘partygate’ scandal.“At this stage the PM risks muddying the waters,” he said. “We want to see the government publish the scientific advice because at the moment this seems very premature.”“He continued: It seems like Boris Johnson is keen to declare victory before the war is over in the hope he gets some headlines about ‘victory day on COVID’ instead police officers asking questions about actions in Number 10.”Labour Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting tells #Raworth that dropping remaining

WHO's emergencies chief Mike Ryan recently said. 

One of Canada’s busiest commercial truck border crossings was closed again Saturday as anti-mandate protesters swarmed the route leading to the Pacific Highway crossing in Surrey. Kamil Karamali reports.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney tweeted Saturday the province will file a court challenge of the federal government’s Emergencies Act in the wake of convoy protests in Ottawa.

A protest that closed the main crossing between Alberta and the United States may have ended this week, but there’s some concern it has created a different kind of division in the border community caught in the middle of the dispute.

Police officers appeared to be shifting strategy Saturday in Ottawa as they worked to clear the remaining protesters from the area, arresting 170 over two days. The slow methodical approach that we saw from police Friday seemed to be replaced with a much tougher line today.

The streets in Ottawa are starting to look more bare and normal. Police warned demonstrators in the evening that it is “unsafe to stay.” “Get out of the cold and cease further unlawful activity.

Police and protesters faced off for a second straight day in the nation’s capital and at times those tensions erupted into violence, but tonight it appears the Ottawa occupation is into its final hours. Police and protesters are accusing each other of abusive behaviour after a day that saw officers reclaim the street in front of Parliament Hill.

Police officers in Ottawa have arrested dozens more protesters on Saturday. Sean O’Shea is in the thick of things and brings us the latest.

Ottawa’s Interim Police Chief Steve Bell has responded to a question about an incident involving police-mounted horses on Friday. Bell said “there was two members of the protesters who did collide with the horses.

Ottawa’s Interim Police Chief Steve Bell provided an update on operations to clear out anti-mandate protesters from the streets of Ottawa saying they’ve made “important progress,” arresting 47 demonstrators Saturday for a total of 170.

Ottawa’s Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said on Saturday that police were documenting the protests with the intent of pursuing financial penalties and criminal charges against those who have participated.