Biker protest cost up to $3M to police, sustainable solution needed: board chair
The "Rolling Thunder" protest in the national capital over the weekend cost an estimated $2.5 to $3 million to police, says the chair of Ottawa's police services board.
Eli El-Chantiry said police are expecting more convoy protests in the future and a sustainable solution needs to be found.
Protesters arrived Friday afternoon as part of the "Rolling Thunder" rally, organized by Freedom Fighters Canada, a group dedicated to speaking out against COVID-19 mandates.
El-Chantiry said the police, including officers brought in from outside the capital, were prepared for every eventuality and had intelligence about the bikers and their plans.
But less was known about the intentions of other protesters not part of the core group who arrived in pickup trucks, big rigs, cars and camper vans.
"That group -- we don't know who's who," El-Chantiry said in an interview.
The relatively peaceful protest could have escalated if officers had not been so well-prepared, he said.
"It could have gone the other way easily," he said. "A lot of people were denied entry to the downtown with their vehicle."
Ottawa police called in more than 800 reinforcements from RCMP and other forces to help, including by blocking off highway exits and streets in the downtown core to prevent an encampment forming.
El-Chantiry said the police also had rapid response teams on hand. Police with riot shields were deployed on Friday evening in downtown Ottawa.
The chair of the police board, which oversees the police service, said he had been briefed by interim chief Steve Bell.
Bell was not available for an interview on Monday.
Over the weekend, 10 people were arrested, including seven who had taken part in the earlier "Freedom Convoy" protests and had breached court orders banning them from returning to Ottawa, El-Chantiry said.
The Ottawa police said in a statement the arrests pertained to different Criminal Code offences, including breach of conditions, assaulting police and causing a disturbance.
The statement added that all traffic restrictions had been lifted, including blocked-off roads in the city centre.
Ottawa police drew lessons from the protests in February when throngs of protesters opposed to COVID-19 public health measures and the federal government choked Ottawa's streets for weeks, the board chair said.
But the protests are evolving and different in nature and Ottawa police need to be ready, he said.
"One size does not fit all," El-Chantiry said. "This could happen any time, so we have to prepare and have the resources."
The federal government has agreed to foot the $35 million bill for policing of the three-week "Freedom Convoy" protest in February.
The occupation prompted the Trudeau government to invoke the Emergencies Act for the first time and ended after hundreds of police officers moved in to disperse the crowds, making dozens of arrests.
The board chief said a plan -- including a financial plan -- was needed to deal with future protests, which show no sign of stopping.
"We have to find a sustainable way to do this," he said. "I will be working with the federal and provincial government to find a sustainable way for the future."
It's important for the people of downtown Ottawa to be able to enjoy their city without constant disruption, El-Chantiry said.
"I am trying to find a way to sustain that cost and want the community who live there now to enjoy their summer and their home."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Jason Kenney steps down after 51.4% approval in leadership review
Jason Kenney quit as leader of his party, and premier of Alberta, Wednesday night after receiving a slight majority of support in his United Conservative Party leadership review.

Ed Fast out as Tory finance critic after criticizing leadership candidate Poilievre
Ed Fast is no longer the Conservative finance critic, interim party leader Candice Bergen says. Bergen said in a statement late Wednesday that Fast informed her he will be 'stepping away from his duties.'
Trudeau says Ottawa watching Quebec's proposed changes to language law 'carefully'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is watching 'carefully' how Quebec's Bill 96 is playing out provincially and respects the freedom of members of Parliament to protest it.
Four things Canadians can do to save money on their groceries during inflation
With Statistics Canada reporting a 9.7 per cent increase in food costs over the last year, Canadians are being pushed to find ways to pinch pennies at the grocery stores. Here are some ways to save.
Crown wants Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich returned to jail to await trial
Crown prosecutors want Ottawa protest organizer Tamara Lich sent back to jail to await trial, claiming she breached her bail conditions by agreeing to participate in an event next month where she will receive a 'Freedom Award.'
'Suffer in silence:' Experts worry of fallout from public reaction to Amber Heard's testimony
As Johnny Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard stretches into its fifth week, experts say public reaction to Heard's testimony sends a perilous reminder that despite the 'MeToo' movement, the credibility of alleged victims of abuse can be fragile.
'Somebody out there is missing this child': Remains of young girl found in water in Dunnville, Ont.
Provincial police announced Wednesday the human remains found in the water in Dunnville, Ont., the day before are that of a young girl.
Conservative party investigating complaint by Patrick Brown team about racist email
The Conservative Party of Canada is investigating a complaint lodged by Patrick Brown's leadership campaign about a racist email it says it received from a member.
Prince Charles, Camilla visit Ukrainian church in Ottawa on second day of royal tour
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, lit candles and listened to a prayer service on Wednesday inside a gilded Ukrainian Orthodox cathedral in Ottawa, while congregants and onlookers waved blue-and-yellow flags and Union Jacks outside.