Daily Occupation Update: February 17
Secured Area established by Ottawa law enforcement
Under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, the Unified Command in control of policing in Ottawa has established a Secured Area to ensure that individuals comply with the Emergency Measures Regulations and to ensure designated places (Parliament, Government buildings, critical infrastructure etc) are protected.
You cannot travel to or within an area where an assembly is taking place contrary to the Regulations.
At this time, the Secured Area is from Bronson Avenue to the Canal, the Queensway to Parliament Hill.
Anyone can enter the Secured Area if you fall under an exemption in the Regulations, meaning that you:
reside, work or are moving through that area for reasons other than to participate in or facilitate the assembly;
are acting with the permission of a peace officer or the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness;
are a peace officer; or
are an employee or agent of the government of Canada or a province who is acting in the execution of their duties.
You can expect to see police checkpoints where you will be asked your reason for travelling within the Secured Area. You will be required to show proof of exemption for your travel to the Secured Area.
People with lawful reasons to be in the area will be permitted to move freely, including for shopping and medical appointments. Officers have been instructed on how to address and question those who may be heading to the occupation/protest.
Expect traffic delays in and around the Secured Area. Please avoid the downtown core if you have no reason to be there.
“We do not take this decision lightly, we know this will impact the residents. Please bear with us while we work to return the city to a state of normalcy” stated Interim Chief Steve Bell. “We want to reassure everyone that if you live, work or have a reason to be in the area that your access will be minimally impacted.”
We want you to be aware that entering the Secured Area for the purpose of contravening the Emergency Act, may result in you being arrested and/or charged. The Secured Area will only be enforced as long as necessary.
Queensway 417 exits to downtown Ottawa closed
The following eastbound 417 exits will be closed indefinitely for police operations: Rochester, Kent, Metcalfe and Nicholas.
The following westbound 417 exits will be closed indefinitely: Vanier, Nicholas, Metcalfe and Bronson.
Travelers are encouraged to plan alternatives and monitor local media for updates.
Protecting the safety of children and animals in the Secured Area
The Ottawa Police Service, in collaboration with The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa, will work to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and youth at the current demonstration in the downtown core.
Regarding animals, the Animal Care and Control By-law provides for temporary “protective care” by the City of animals in the event that the owner is not available, under circumstances including eviction, incarceration, or fire or medical emergency. If you are unable to care for your animal as a result of enforcement actions, your animal will placed into protective care for 8 days, at your cost. After 8 days, if arrangements are not made, your animal will be considered relinquished.
Class action expanded to include businesses as plaintiffs
A proposed class-action lawsuit on behalf of Centretown residents has drastically expanded. The lawsuit, which originally sought just under $10 million, has been expanded to include some businesses as plaintiffs and is now seeking $306 million from truckers and donors to the 'Freedom Convoy' cause.
Lawyer Paul Champ, who is leading the proposed class action, had a stark message for the truckers who remain in downtown Ottawa on Thursday. "It's time to go home, and when you get home, I strongly recommend you hire your own lawyer," he told CTV News. "Don't listen anymore to the organizers. ... You've been led down a path that unfortunately is going to cause you some serious financial consequences." Read more.
