With an anti-COVID mandate protest in Windsor into its fifth day and the weeks’ long occupation in Ottawa, Premier Doug Ford has declared a state of emergency in Ontario.
The new measures include tougher fines and penalties to protesters who impede the movement of goods, people, and services with a maximum $100,000 penalty and up to a year behind bars.
Ford said while there is a right to peaceful protest, it does not outweigh the rights of residents in Windsor, Ottawa, and those trying to cross the border.
“You’ve been heard loud and clear, Canada has heard you. My message to those still in Ottawa, to those at our border crossings, please go home. To those of you who’ve brought your children, please take them home,” Ford said. “I urge you, it’s time to leave and it’s time to do so peacefully.”
The province will also be providing more authority for police to revoke personal and commercial licenses for anyone who doesn’t comply with the orders.
Solicitor General Sylvia Jones said the emergency declaration will be in effect for 42 hours, and cabinet will meet again tomorrow to go over further amendments.
“You will see in the spring legislative session that we’re going to start to deal with some of these safety problems that are causing people to be on public highways, on public roads, putting themselves and the community in danger,” Jones said. “There is a wide difference between a demonstration that people make their point and go home, and people put their lives, their families’ lives, and their communities at risk. That is unfortunately what we are seeing now in Windsor and Ottawa for the last number of days.”
