here is what our brave prime minister as to say today.
Trudeau says using military not a choice to be made lightly
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said bringing in the military to deal with protestors who have gridlocked downtown Ottawa is not a decision his government would consider lightly if a request was made
“One has to be very, very cautious before deploying the military in situations engaging Canadians. It is not something that anyone should enter into lightly,” he said at a Thursday news conference.
The streets around downtown Ottawa have been shuttered for six days since a convoy of truckers and their supporters came to the capital to protest vaccine mandates, mask requirements and lockdowns. The protestors have demanded all such restrictions be lifted and some in the group have called for Trudeau to resign.
Ottawa Police chief Peter Sloly said on Wednesday that there may not be a policing solution to the crisis, and all options were on the table including asking for military support. Before forces could be deployed, the city would have to ask the provincial government to make a request of the federal government.
Trudeau said there has been no such request, but the government would consider any help the city asked for.
“We will, of course, look at any formal requests they sent us,” Trudeau said. “Our preoccupation remains being there for the citizens of Ottawa, the neighborhoods that have been significantly disrupted by these protests,” he said.
Since the protest arrived, residents have reported incidents of harassment, many businesses
including the Rideau Centre mall (closed at the request of the mayor)have been closed and truck horns have been honking at all hours of the day.
The protesters are demanding Trudeau meet with them and remove all COVID mandates and restrictions. Trudeau said his government is not going to back down on an agenda Canadians endorse in the last campaign.
“We will remain steadfast to the mandate given to parliamentarians six months ago,” he said.
“Having a group of people who disagree with the outcome of an election who want to go a different way and bring in an alternative government is a non-starter in a responsible democracy.”
Ottawa police have started a stepped up enforcement campaign, including issuing 30 traffic tickets on Wednesday. In a meeting with city councillors, Sloly said the police were considering all attempts to end the protest, but were also reluctant to confront the protesters in a way that could lead to violence.
- why of course, naturally.
