Parliamentary Committee Notes: Evolution of the Freedom 2022 Convoy
Issue:
Key timeline of events related to the evolution of the Freedom 2022 Convoy
Timelines of Key Events – January 25 to February 23, 2022
January 25, 2022
- Freedom Convoy from British Columbia entered Ontario
January 26, 2022
- Op Intersect partners (including, but not limited to OPS, PPS, Sergeant at Arms, RCMP, Gatineau Police) provide an update on the preparations underway for a demonstration scheduled to arrive in Ottawa on Friday, January 28. The exact number of participants is not known and Ottawa Police Service is in contact with the organizers.
- Op Intersect partners begin meeting on a regular basis to discuss ongoing the illegal blockades in Ottawa.
January 27, 2022
- Freedom Convoy from Windsor, Fort Erie, Vaughn, and Woodstock enroute to Ottawa
- New Brunswick: Protesters converge at several ports of entry with traffic disruptions observed at Woodstock, Edmundston and Perth Andover.
January 28, 2022
- Convoys started arriving in Ottawa
- A Request for Federal Assistance, Assistance to Law Enforcement is received: Premier Ontario to Minster of Emergency Preparedness (EP) and Minister of Public Safety (PS) to use Cartier Square Drill Hall in Ottawa.
January 29, 2022
- Coutts, Alberta blockade established
- Edmonton: Participants in the blockades converge at Alberta Legislature Building.
- Ottawa Police Service (OPS) confirms it will be augmented with officers from Toronto, London, York and Durham regions, and the Ontario Provincial Police.
- Ministers of EP and PS approve Premier Ontario request for use of Cartier Square Drill Hall in Ottawa.
- Min PS announces police and national security forces will back Ottawa Police Service.
January 30, 2022
- Convoy organizers host news conference in Ottawa
January 31, 2022
- House of Commons resumes sitting after winter break.
- Initial RCMP meeting with OPS Chief Sloly and OPP and RCMP Commissioner.
- The Prime Minister speaks to the Mayor of Ottawa about the illegal blockades and occupation.
February 1, 2022
- RCMP enforcement activities begin at Coutts, Alberta on the fourth day of protests.
- Request for Federal Assistance (RFA) on the use of Cartier Square Drill Hall ends.
- The Minister of PS engages with the Acting Minister of Justice and Solicitor General of Alberta.
February 2, 2022
- RCMP begins to send resources to support OPS.
- The Minister of Public Safety engages with the Premier of Alberta.
February 3, 2022
- Mayor of Ottawa request federal resources to support OPS
- Public Safety Minister approves the City of Ottawa’s request for additional RCMP resources following phone call with the Mayor.
- Blockade begins at Coutts, Alberta Port of Entry (POE); border remains open with two open lanes. Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) Emergency Management Committee begins daily coordination briefings
- The Minister of EP speaks with the President of Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police on support to OPS.
February 4, 2022
- Numerous Quebec convoys enter Ottawa and surrounding area
- Local towing companies reject OPS request for assistance
- Blockade continues at Coutts, POE; border remains opens with two open lanes.
- The ADM-level table of the Council of Minsters Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety met.
February 5, 2022
- Multiple farm tractor convoys arrive in Ottawa and surrounding area
- Ambassador Bridge: Trucks arrive on road near POE.
- Blockade continue at Coutts, AB, POE; border remains open with two lanes open; a second blockage is reported 20km north of Coutts.
- Quebec City: Protesters converge at the National Assembly Building.
- Toronto: Protesters converge in the downtown core, including the north side of Queen’s Park.
- Winnipeg: Protesters converge at Manitoba Legislative Building.
- Regina: Protesters converge at Saskatchewan Legislative Building.
- Calgary: Protesters converge at Central Memorial Park.
- RFA Received: Min Municipal Affairs, AB to Min PS and Min EP (equipment and personnel to Coutts, AB).
- The Minister of PS engages with the Acting Minister of Justice and Solicitor General of Alberta.
- The Minister of Transport speaks with Alberta's Minister of Transportation.
- The Minister of EP speaks with the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Deputy Premier of British Columbia to discuss protests in Victoria and how the federal government could assist if circumstances required, including mutual emergency legislation.
- Province of Nova Scotia issues a directive under the Emergency Measures Act prohibiting protesters from blocking or disrupting traffic on any road, street or highway.
February 6, 2022
- City of Ottawa declares a State of Emergency
- Blue Water Bridge is blocked; POE closed
- Ambassador Bridge is impacted by trucks near POE.
- Blockade continue at Coutts, AB, POE; border remains open with two lanes open, however, significant delays to traveller and commercial traffic.
- Quebec City: Protesters converge at the National Assembly Building.
- Halifax: Protesters converge in city’s south end, downtown and into Bayer’s Lake Business Centre.
February 7, 2022
- Ontario Superior Court grants injunction in Ottawa (honking)
Ambassador Bridge remains blocked; POE is closed - Blockade continues at Coutts, AB, POE; border remains open with two lanes open, however, significant delays to traveller and commercial traffic.
- Winnipeg: Protesters converge at Manitoba Legislative Building.
- RFA Received: Mayor, City of Ottawa to Min PS and Min EP (additional resources)
- Trilateral meeting with the of EP, the Minister of PS, the Mayor of Ottawa, the City Manager of Ottawa, and the Chief of OPS occurs (provincial representatives invited and do not attend).
- The Minister of PS speaks with the Solicitor General of Ontario to discuss the work of the tripartite table.
- The Minister of PS engages with the Premier of Alberta and the Acting Minister of Justice and Solicitor General of Alberta.
- The Federal Provincial Territorial (FPT) Crime Prevention and Policing Committee (CPPC) held an ad hoc meeting on at the Deputy Minister level.
February 8, 2022
- Ambassador Bridge: POE opens for limited US bound traffic
- Blue Water Bridge reopens; traffic delayed
- Blockade at Coutts POE continues; temporary blockade of all traffic.
- Winnipeg: Protesters converge at Manitoba Legislative Building.
- The Prime Minister speaks to the Mayor of the City of Ottawa about illegal blockades.
- Trilateral meeting with the Minister of EP, the Minister of PS, the Mayor of Ottawa, the City Manager of Ottawa, and the Chief of OPS occurs (provincial representatives invited and do not to attend)
- The Assistant Deputy Minister-level table of the Council of Minsters Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety meets.
February 9, 2022
- Blue Water Bridge is blocked; POE remains open but with significant delays.
- Ambassador Bridge is blocked; POE remains closed.
- North and south bound lanes at Coutts blocked; POE remains closed.
- Winnipeg: Protesters converge at Manitoba Legislative Building.
- RFA Received: Windsor Police to Min EP (additional resources for Ambassador Bridge).
- Ontario Superior Court grants injunction (fireworks, noise, idling trucks)
- Ottawa Court approves a request from city officials to increase several bylaw fines, such as noise and idling, to a maximum of $1,000.
- The Prime Minister speaks to the Premier of Ontario.
- The Minister of Transport speaks with Ontario's Minister of Transportation about the blockades at border crossings.
- The Minister of Public Safety speaks to the Premier of Ontario.
- The Minister of Public Safety engages with the Premier of Alberta.
- The Minister of Public Safety engages with the Acting Minister of Justice and Solicitor General of Alberta.
- The Minister of Transport speaks with Alberta's Minister of Transportation.
- Province of New Brunswick makes additions to Emergency Act to prohibit stopping or parking to block flow of traffic; participating, financing, organizing or aiding any interruption to flow of traffic; and stopping or gathering alongside of any numbered highway.
February 10, 2022
- Blue Water Bridge blocked; POE remains open with significant delays.
- Ambassador Bridge continues to be impacted with all exits from bridge to Canada and U.S. bound entrances blocked; significant impacts to POE.
- North and south bound lanes at Coutts blocked; POE remains closed.
- North and south bound lanes at Emerson, Manitoba are inaccessible; POE is temporarily closed.
- Pacific Highway POE (Surrey, BC) is impacted; POE remains open.
- Winnipeg: Protesters converge at Manitoba Legislative Building.
- Ontario Superior Court grants request to freeze accounts
- Government of NB amends its Emergency Act adding prohibition to block traffic on roads and highways.
- Trilateral meeting with Minister of EP, the Minister of PS, the Mayor of Ottawa, the City Manager of Ottawa, and the Chief of OPS occurs (provincial representatives invited and do not attend).
- The Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities speaks to the Premier of Ontario regarding measures being taken by the Province in relation to the Ambassador Bridge.
- The Prime Minister speaks to the Mayor of the City of Windsor about the blockage at the Ambassador Bridge.
- The Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities communicated with the Premier of Alberta.
- Ontario Court freezes access to crowdsourcing GoFundMe fund.
February 11, 2022
- Blue Water Bridge blocked; POE remains open with significant delays.
- Ambassador Bridge is impacted; POE remains closed to inbound and outbound traffic.
- North and south bound lanes at Coutts blocked; POE remains closed.
- Emerson, Manitoba POE continues to be impacted with protest activity north of POE.
- Pacific Highway POE (Surrey, BC) is impacted; POE remains open.
- Winnipeg: Protesters converge at Manitoba Legislative Building.
- Ontario declares State of Emergency
- Ontario Superior Court grants injunction for Ambassador Bridge
- Windsor police provided notice to participants in the unlawful blockades that anyone involved in blocking streets must immediately cease unlawful activity or face charges, and that vehicles or other property related to the offence may be seized.
- Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench grants injunction in City of Edmonton (honking).
- The Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities speaks to the Premier of Ontario regarding measures being taken by the Province in relation to the Ambassador Bridge.
- The Prime Minister speaks with the President of the United States. The leaders discussed the critical importance of resolving access to the Ambassador Bridge and other ports of entry as quickly as possible.
- The Minister of Transport speaks with the Mayor of the City of Windsor on concerning the Ambassador Bridge.
- The Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities communicated with the Premier of Alberta.
- The FPT Crime Prevention and Policing Committee met at the Assistant Deputy Minister level.
February 12, 2022
- Police remove participants in the unlawful blockade from Ambassador Bridge; POE remains closed Highway to Pacific Highway crossing at POE is blocked
- North and south bound lanes at Coutts blocked; POE remains closed.
- Pacific Highway (Surrey, BC) POE is blocked.
- New Brunswick: Protesters converge at Legislature; however, enforcement activities are successful in mitigating gridlock.
- Winnipeg: Protesters converge at Manitoba Legislative Building.
- Integrated Command Centre (ICC) with OPS, OPP, RCMP, and established in Ottawa
- The Minister of Transport speaks with Manitoba's Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure concerning the Emerson port of entry.
- The Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities communicates with the premiers of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador to ask about the current status and to offer federal support to help the provinces respond to the disruption and blockades.
February 13, 2022
- Police gain control of Ambassador Bridge; POE remains closed
- North and south bound lanes at Coutts blocked; POE remains closed.
- Blockade remains north of Emerson, Manitoba POE; significant delays to commercial traffic, with other livestock vehicles allowed through.
- Mayor of Ottawa offers to meet with organizer Tamara Lich
- The Minister of EP speaks with the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Deputy Premier of British Columbia to discuss protests in Victoria and how the federal government could assist if circumstances required, including mutual emergency legislation.
- The Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities communicates with the Premier of British Columbia to ask about the current status and to offer federal support to help the province respond to the disruption and blockades.
February 14, 2022
- Government of Canada announces Emergencies Act invocation
- Coutts, Alberta: RCMP arrests of individuals and seizures of firearms and ammunition
- Blockade remains north of Emerson, Manitoba POE; significant delays to commercial traffic, with other livestock vehicles allowed through.
- Ambassador BridgePOE re-opens to commercial and traveler traffic:
- CBSA issued Resumption of Service messaging to commercial clients (including importers, brokers, and carriers) that normal operations have now resumed at the Ambassador Bridge port of entry.
- The Prime Minister convenes a First Ministers’ Meeting to consult premiers on whether to declare a public order emergency under the Emergencies Act. The Minster of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and the Minister of Public Safety also participate.
- Mayor of the City of Windsor declares a local state of emergency.
- The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada speaks with his Quebec counterpart about the Emergencies Act.
- The Minister of Transport speaks with British Columbia's Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure about blockades at border crossings.
February 15, 2022
- Emergencies Act proclamation: Emergency Measures Regulations and Emergency Economic Measures Order issued
- OPS Chief Slowly resigns; Interim Chief Bell appointed
- ICC establishes enforcement plan
- Coutts, Alberta POE; operations resume. The Coutts port of entry (POE) remained fully operational with no border wait times. A majority of the 13 individuals arrested on February 14, 2022 appeared in court and were released on conditions. Four individuals remained in custody on conspiracy to commit murder charges.
- Blockade remains north of Emerson, Manitoba POE; RCMP coordinates departure of demonstrators; commercial traffic is temporarily closed.
- Pacific Highway: POE operations resume
- The Minister of Transport speaks with Nova Scotia's Minister of Public Works and provided an overview of the emergency measures being taken under the Emergencies Act
February 16, 2022
- Ontario Superior Court grants extension to injunction in Ottawa (honking)
- Emerson, Manitoba; POE operations resume
- RFA Received: PPS to Min PS and Min Defence (essential supplies).
- Children’s Aid Society issues statement to parents with children in occupation to ensure they can be cared for if arrested.
February 17, 2022
- OPS warnings provided to participants in the unlawful occupation to vacate NCR immediately
- OPS and other law enforcement secure a perimeter; arrests begin
- Canadian banks start to freeze accounts linked to illegal protest activity
- Debate Emergency Act in the House of Commons
February 18, 2022
- Winnipeg: Protesters move from Manitoba Legislative Building to nearby Memorial Park.
- Ontario Superior Court indefinitely extends Ambassador Bridge injunction
- Parliament closed and debate in the House of Commons is cancelled due to security concerns.
- Complex police operations commence in Ottawa
February 19, 2022
- Police operations in Ottawa continue
- Victoria: Protesters converge at BC Legislative Assembly.
- Vancouver: Protesters converge along Hastings Park.
- Debate Emergency Act in the House of Commons; a ‘hold and secure’ position is put in place to ensure the safety of Parliamentarians.
February 20, 2022
- Police operations in Ottawa continue
- House of Commons debate Emergency Act
- Quebec City: Protesters converge on René-Levesque Boulevard.
February 21, 2022:
- House of Commons votes on Emergencies Act and measures pass
- Police ops successfully conclude all illegal protest activity in Ottawa
February 22, 2022
- Senate debate on Emergency Act starts
February 23, 2022
- PM revokes Emergencies Act
- Ontario terminates State of Emergency; extra powers granted to police extended to two additional weeks.
- Debate in Senate.
- Date modified: