Windsor police respond to release of Emergencies Act documents; say too many 'sub-groups' of blockade protestors to negotiate an end
Court documents released in Ottawa indicate the most pressing issue for the federal government in Feb. 2022 was the removal of the blockade at the foot of the Ambassador Bridge.
The documents, released Thursday, were filed in federal court as part of a legal challenge to the government’s use of the Emergencies Act.
The blockade at the foot of the Huron Church access to the Ambassador Bridge started on Feb. 7 and was in place until police action dismantled it over the weekend of Feb. 12 and 13.
The court documents also detail the possibility of negotiations between the City of Ottawa and “illegal blockaders” leading to “a potential for a breakthrough” in Ottawa that would have seen protestors clear the streets surrounding Parliament Hill in exchange for the opportunity to speak with the government.
Ultimately, negotiations were unsuccessful and the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time in Canadian history on Feb. 14.
In Windsor, the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association and Canadian Vehicle Manufacturer’ Association applied for a court injunction, which was backed by the City of Windsor, to have the bridge blockade cleared.
The injunction was granted on Feb. 11, the day before officers from multiple law enforcement agencies converged on the blockade and cleared the protesters at the foot of the Ambassador Bridge.
In a statement, Windsor police said officers engaged daily and continuously with local protestors and attempted to identify the leaders of the blockade, in the hopes of peacefully resolving the situation.
“Yet as previously stated, it was difficult to end the blockade as many sub-groups within the main body of the protest had differing views," the statement reads.
"Although discussions were positive, there was never an agreed-upon decision to remove the barricades by the demonstrators.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.