![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976186.1721847997!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Freedom Convoy protest cost city of Ottawa $36.6 million
![Freedom Convoy Hundreds of trucks remain parked on Wellington Street and surrounding streets in downtown Ottawa on day 10 of the "Freedom Convoy" demonstration in downtown Ottawa. (Josh Pringle/CTV News Ottawa)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2022/2/6/freedom-convoy-1-5770061-1644165437834.jpg)
The 'Freedom Convoy' protest that occupied downtown Ottawa streets for more than three weeks this winter cost the city of Ottawa and Ottawa police more than $36 million.
City Manager Steve Kanellakos provided an update to council on the costs associated with the "illegal convoy occupation" as of Feb. 28.
Kanellakos says the Ottawa police response cost $35 million, including money for the RCMP deployment in the capital.
"Costs include compensation, vehicle expenses, food, accommodations, and operation supplies," Kanellakos said.
The city of Ottawa's response, including Bylaw Services and public works, is $1.3 million. Kanellakos says the costs do not include any damage/repair estimates for infrastructure.
"City staff and OPS staff are communicating with senior officials at the federal and provincial governments to recover these costs and will make a formal submission for reimbursement of all costs associated with the response," Kanellakos said in a memo to council.
Kanellakos told council last month that he had been speaking with deputy ministers within the federal government on possible funding to cover the costs of the protests.
"They certainly are expecting that we would be submitting the cost of both the federal and provincial, and what I was told is they would work out what an appropriate cost-sharing agreement is to fund us," Kanellakos said, adding Mayor Jim Watson has been speaking with Ontario cabinet ministers.
The 'Freedom Convoy' rolled into Ottawa the weekend of Jan. 28 to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other public health measures. The demonstration blocked Wellington Street and several roads around Parliament Hill for more than three weeks, forcing several businesses to close.
Ottawa police, with assistance from the RCMP, OPP and municipal police forces across the country, moved in the weekend of February 18, 19 and 20 to remove demonstrators from streets and reopen roads.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.