Anti-mandate demonstration marches to Parliament Hill one week after removal of convoy protesters

Demonstrators opposed to COVID-19 mandates returned to Ottawa, though in smaller numbers and notably without any heavy vehicles, for a march on Parliament Hill.

"We want everyone to have freedom of choice and we're worried that is jeopardized, that's why we're here today," Laura Clark said about attending the demonstration with her husband on Saturday.

The protest comes one week after a massive push by police to remove the "Freedom Convoy" protest that had entrenched itself on downtown streets for three weeks. Hundreds of police officers—empowered by the invocation of the federal Emergencies Act—moved quickly last Saturday to push demonstrators off Wellington Street before towing away large vehicles that had been parked or immobilized in the downtown core.

Approximately 200 people were arrested and more than 100 vehicles were towed away. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revoked the use of the Emergencies Act Wednesday, and states of emergency in Ontario and Ottawa have since ended.

This latest demonstration began on foot at Confederation Park and moved into the "red zone" near Parliament. The organizer tells CTV News Ottawa's Jeremie Charron they spoke to police ahead of time and were allowed onto Parliament Hill.

"We're just a group of Canadians looking to end all federal and provincial mandates and we're just going to stand here peacefully and protest," organizer Jerome O'Sullivan said.

"Do things a little differently and make sure we stay within the confines of the law. We're going to walk in every day, set hours maybe 9-5 during the week, but we're not going to be honking or disturbing the peace."

Protesters carried Canadian flags and signs opposing vaccine mandates. When they arrived on the hill, they sang O Canada.

"We're here because we're really concerned that our kids are going to grow up in an environment where they won't have freedom of choice," Clark said about her attendance at the protest. "We're here for the kids and protecting their future."

Ottawa police issued a message on Twitter directed at people planning to attend demonstrations in Ottawa this weekend on Saturday, urging them to follow guidelines to ensure demonstrations remain "lawful, peaceful and respectful." 

Interim police chief Steve Bell told a special meeting of the Ottawa Police Services Board on Thursday that lawful protests will continue to be allowed in Ottawa.

"We are a police service who pride ourselves on supporting and allowing for lawful protest, so we will continue to allow for lawful protesting and we will continue to not allow the unlawful protesting that we've seen over the past number of days occur in our streets," Bell said.

A crowd later gathered on the sidewalk at the intersection of Wellington Street and Booth Street, about a kilometre away from Parliament Hill, to wave flags and signs.  

Demonstrators gather at the corner of Booth Street and Wellington Street/Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway in Ottawa, Feb. 26, 2022. (City of Ottawa traffic camera image)

In Ontario, proof of vaccination requirements will be lifted on Tuesday, though some businesses say they will continue to ask patrons for vaccine certificates for some time yet. The province is also actively discussing a plan to end mask mandates in schools and other sectors.

The "Freedom Convoy" protest included anti-mandate elements, though it also contained broader anti-government sentiments. Several organizers of the three-week long occupation were arrested and remain in custody.

COMMUNITY SOLIDARITY RALLY

Just over a kilometre from Parliament Hill, community members gathered in Minto Park for a rally hosted by Community Solidarity Ottawa.

The meetup designed to bring the community together following the 24-day demonstration in downtown Ottawa that blocked roads and forced businesses to close.

"This experience has harmed me and others, there's no question," Claire Hurtig said. "The fear for my safety was based on knowing if I disagreed with convoy protesters it was not safe to express that."

Organizer Angela MacEwan told Newstalk 580 CFRA the community "felt abandoned" by officials during the demonstration.

"We also saw the community come together and take care of each other," MacEwan said. "We want to continue that community support, create a safe space for people in Centretown, check in on each other and our neighbourhoods."

MacEwan says the community also wants to hold Ottawa police and council accountable for their actions during the demonstration.

A rally and march are expected to be held next Saturday in Ottawa. Organizers say it will also be a chance to show support for frontline workers.

FREEDOM CONVOY IN LANARK COUNTY

A convoy of vehicles supporting the "Freedom Convoy" travelled through Lanark County on Saturday.

A statement by the mayors in Lanark says the protest remained peaceful as it travelled through Smiths Falls, Perth, Carleton Place and Mississippi Mills.

The mayors says they met with Lanark OPP and Smiths Falls police ahead of the protest to ensure "full operational plans were in place" and the communities were "equipped to handle any situation" during the demonstration.

"We would like to thank the organizer of the convoy for having open communication with the police and maintaining a peaceful demonstration," the mayors said. "We would also like to thank the residents in each of our communities for their patience and understanding."

--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Jeremie Charron and Jackie Perez.