Toronto police brace for weekend convoy protests

Toronto police chief James Ramer says the city's police department will has "scaled up" its operational response to deal with the truck convoy protests expected in the city this weekend.

Speaking at a news conference Friday, Raymer says the city will facilitate "peaceful protests," but adds that does not include "vehicles jamming up the roadways."

Asked what police will do when they encounter demonstrators who refuse to abide by the rules, Ramer says, "We're gonna help them leave."

Since Monday, scores of drivers protesting Canada's COVID-19 restrictions and venting their rage against liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have bottled up the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit, disrupting the auto industry on both sides of the border.

Hundreds more truckers have paralyzed downtown Ottawa over the past two weeks.

Earlier Friday, Ontario’s premier declared a state of emergency in reaction to the blockades and threatened heavy penalties against those who interfere with the free flow of goods and people.

Ramer said the state of emergency applies to the Toronto police department's handling of the demonstrations this weekend.

He also said the department's intelligence indicates those responsible for the blockade are an organized group that "are trying to make it difficult for police agencies across the province" and "deliberately trying to tax our resources."

IMAGE: AP