The Premier of Ontario, the epicenter of protest against sanitary measures in Canada, declared, Friday, February 11, the state of emergency in his province because of the demonstrations “illegal” which have been held for two weeks. “We will take all necessary measures to ensure the reopening of the border. And to the people of beleaguered Ottawa, I say: we’re going to make sure you can get back to normal life as soon as possible.”said Doug Ford, during a press conference.
The center of Ottawa, the Canadian federal capital, located in Ontario, has been paralyzed for two weeks by demonstrators who demand the withdrawal of all anti-Covid-19 sanitary measures and refuse to leave the premises.
They are also blocking the Ambassador Bridge, an essential commercial axis linking Ontario and the American city of Detroit (Michigan). More than 25% of the goods exported between the United States and Canada transit there. The White House called Canada on Thursday to use the “federal powers” to put an end to these convoys, and offered his ” aid “.
Two other border axes are blocked: the first, at Emerson, connects Manitoba to North Dakota, while the second is located in Alberta.
“Go home now”
“We will do whatever it takes to put an end to these occupations”Mr. Ford added before addressing the protesters directly: “Go home now. “We will urgently enact ordinances that will make it clear that it is illegal to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along critical infrastructure”said Mr. Ford.
Ontario’s Conservative premier has been under fire for several days for his inaction in the face of protesters, which many attribute to political calculations. He is a candidate for re-election in June.
Accused of waiting by the opposition, the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, must speak on Friday at 8 p.m. (Paris time) about this crisis.
Mr. Trudeau again called on Thursday for an end to the protests. “It is time for this to end, because it hurts Canadians”, he said, but without proposing a concrete action plan. His government announced that police reinforcements would be sent to the blocking points, without giving further details.
So far, the Prime Minister has repeatedly said that his government “would be alongside the courts”suggesting that the crisis was not a federal responsibility.