Premier Doug Ford says he is declaring a state of emergency in Ontario and will enact emergency orders to end the protests that have crippled Ottawa for the last two weeks and have recently blocked the land border crossing in Windsor. “Today, I am using my authority as premier of Ontario to declare a state of emergency in our province,” Ford said on Friday morning. “And I will convene cabinet to use legal authorities to urgently enact orders that will make crystal clear it is illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along critical infrastructure.” Ford said this will include protecting international border crossings, 400-series highways, airports, ports, bridges and railways. Read more: Protesters settle in at Ambassador Bridge, Windsor mayor to seek injunction The premier made the announcement alongside solicitor general Sylvia Jones, Attorney General Doug Downey and Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney on Friday morning. “We are now two weeks into the siege of the city of Ottawa.
I call it a siege because that is what it is. It’s an illegal occupation,” Ford said. “This is no longer a protest. With a protest, you peacefully make your point and you go back home.” Protesters descended on Ottawa two weeks ago as part of a convoy protest against COVID-19 mandates in place.
A blockade continues for the fifth straight day as demonstrators protest many COVID-19 restrictions at the Ambassador Bridge, the bridge linking Windsor, Ont., to Detroit.
It is one of the busiest land border crossings in Canada. Protesters first blocked the Ambassador Bridge on Monday. Read more: Ambassador Bridge blockades will have ‘lasting effect’ on supply chain, experts say Ford said