 |
Truckers
and supporters continue to protest COVID-19 |
vaccine
mandates, in Ottawa |
Key events in Canada’s trucker protests
against COVID curbs
(Reuters) – Canadian
police on Saturday used pepper spray and stun grenades in an
attempt to restore normalcy in Ottawa, parts of which
have been paralyzed by
protesters opposing the government’s pandemic restrictions.
Here is a timeline of main events:
Nov. 19 – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government announces that
all cross-border truck drivers will be subject to mandatory vaccine
and quarantine requirements from Jan. 15. The trucking industry
association has warned the mandates could intensify supply-chain
disruptions, but opposes protests on public roads.
Jan. 28 – A convoy largely consisting of trucks starts arriving in
Ottawa from across Canada opposing the vaccine mandate. A similar
requirement is in place in the United States.
Jan. 29 – Thousands of protesters under the banner “The Freedom
Convoy 2022” hold a loud but peaceful protest in downtown Ottawa.
Jan. 31 – Trudeau, who was moved to a secret location, says
Canadians are disgusted by the behavior of some protesters in Ottawa
and says he will not be intimidated.
Feb. 2 – Leader of Canada’s main opposition Conservative Party, Erin
O’Toole, is ousted after a caucus vote, partly because of his
failure to embrace the anti-government protest quickly enough.
Feb. 5 – Protesters occupy downtown Ottawa for second straight
weekend. Protests spread to other cities including the financial
capital Toronto.
Feb. 6 – Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson declares state of emergency.
Feb. 7 – Police seize thousands of liters of fuel and remove an oil
tanker supplying the trucks. A court grants an interim injunction
preventing people from sounding horns in downtown Ottawa.
Feb. 7 – Protesters start blocking the Ambassador Bridge
in Windsor, Ontario, the busiest crossing between Canada
and the United States, and protesters block other border
points in Alberta and Manitoba.
Feb. 8 – The blockade disrupts trade between the two
countries. Ford Motor Co, General Motors Co and Toyota
Motor Corp halt some production.
Feb. 10 – The Biden administration urges Canada to use
federal powers to ease the disruption at the U.S.-Canada
border.
Feb. 11 – A Canadian judge orders an end to the blockade
of the Ambassador Bridge and the province of Ontario
declares a state of emergency. Protesters defy the court
order and remain.
Feb. 13 The Ambassador Bridge reopens after a six-day
blockade as Canadian police clear protesters.
Feb. 15 – Trudeau invokes rarely used special emergency
measures to tackle protests.
Feb. 16 – Ottawa’s police chief resigns.
Feb. 17- Police warn protesters occupying central Ottawa
of “imminent” action.
Feb. 18 – Police begin push into crowds of
demonstrators, arrest more than 100 and haul away
vehicles. Key organizers are arrested.
(Compiled by Denny Thomas in Toronto; Editing by Matthew
Lewis)
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