Ottawa's downtown core closed to vehicles as freedom convoy packs Parliament Hill
All streets in Ottawa's downtown core closed to vehicle traffic Saturday afternoon, as thousands of people protesting COVID-19 regulations descended on the capital.
"There is no more room for vehicles, other than first responders," the city of Ottawa said on Twitter, later releasing a map showing a "gridlocked area" as far west as Bronson Avenue and east as the Vanier Parkway.
The announcement of all streets in the downtown core closed came as the final convoy of vehicles from western Canada arrived in Ottawa for the demonstration. In the city, thousands of trucks and vehicles packed streets around Parliament Hill and Ottawa's Centretown neighbourhood.
Ottawa police had been working to keep one lane open to traffic on all streets for police, fire and paramedic vehicles in the event of an emergency.
Earlier in the day, police temporarily closed the Chaudiere and Portage bridges, connecting Ottawa and Gatineau, to vehicle traffic for two hours as people arrived in the capital.. The Alexandra Bridge is closed to all traffic all weekend, while there are lane reductions on the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge.
OC Transpo says due to buses being unable to travel through the downtown area, routes will be detoured to O-Train stops.
The road closures in downtown Ottawa is the latest in a series of closures and service reductions in Ottawa due to the size of the demonstration.
Here is a look at other closures in the city.
RIDEAU CENTRE
The Rideau Centre closed early on Saturday due to the crowds. Cadillac Fairview, owner of the Rideau Centre, says it made the decision to close the mall for the remainder of the day.
The mall will remain closed on Sunday.
“The safety of our guests, tenants and employees is our priority and out of an abundance of caution, CF Rideau Centre will be closed for the remainder of the day," said Cadillac Fairview in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Ottawa Police said officers, "are assisting Rideau Centre management and security with their decision to close the mall due to the crowds.
"There is no threat to public safety."
A Canadian Press photo showed several people, many without masks on, standing on the first floor of the Rideau Centre warming up during the protest. Several stores had remained closed on Saturday before the mall made the decision to close the building.
People gather in the Rideau Centre mall to warm up as Ottawa is under an extreme cold warning, during a rally against COVID-19 restrictions in downtown Ottawa, on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. The rally began as a cross-country convoy protesting a federal vaccine mandate for truckers. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
ROAD CLOSURES
The National Capital Commission says Queen Elizabeth Driveway will be closed between Laurier Avenue and Pretoria Bridge on Saturday and Sunday.
Intermittent closures are expected on the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, Aviation Parkway and Sir George-Etienne-Cartier Parkway this weekend.
The MacKenzie King Bridge westbound is closed westbound between Waller and Elgin streets.
Ottawa Police said on Friday that trucks will be directed to the following exits along the Queensway: Pinecrest, Kent and the Sir George Etienne Parkway.
In a media release Friday afternoon, the city said the convoy will occupy several streets in the downtown area around Parliament Hill.
You could see traffic impacts on:
- Wellington Street
- Queen Street
- Metcalfe Street
- O’Connor Street
- Lyon Street
- Kent Street
- Sir John A Macdonald Parkway
- Queen Elizabeth Driveway
- Laurier Avenue and Elgin Street around Confederation Park
INTERPROVINCIAL BRIDGES
The Alexandra Bridge is closed until further notice.
Public Services and Procurement Canada say, "out of an abundance of caution and safety due to a planned protest taking place this weekend" the interprovincial bridge connecting Ottawa and Gatineau is closed to vehicular traffic.
There will be lane closures on the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge this weekend due to load restrictions.
Public Services and Procurement Canada says "out of an abundance of caution and safety due to a planned protest" in Ottawa, there will be lane closures on the bridge until further notice.
CITY OF OTTAWA SERVICES
Ottawa City Hall and its amenities will be closed to the public this weekend due to its proximity to the demonstration area.
Amenities closed include the Rink of Dreams and underground municipal parking lot at City Hall.
OC TRANSPO
The city of Ottawa says OC Transpo and Para Transpo service may experience delays on Friday and Saturday.
For information, visit octranspo.com.
VACCINATION CLINICS
Ottawa Public Health has closed vaccination clinics in Sandy Hill and Lowertown this weekend due to traffic disruptions.
- University of Ottawa Minto Sports Complex vaccination clinic will be closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Lowertown Public Health Neighbourhood Vaccination Hub at Jules Morin Fieldhouse on Clarence Street East will be closed this weekend
The CISSS de l'Outaouais has closed the vaccination clinic at the Palais de Congres on Maisonneuve Blvd. on Saturday and Sunday due to the protest. People who had an appointment will be contacted to schedule another appointment.
OTTAWA PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Ottawa Public Library says the following branches will be closed on Sunday and Monday
- Ottawa Public Library Main Branch on Metcalfe Street
- Ottawa Public Library Rideau Branch on Rideau Street
The two branches are scheduled to reopen on Tuesday at 1 p.m.
The following branches near downtown Ottawa will remain open
Vigil to mark Quebec City mosque shooting anniversary
Organizers of an in-person candlelight vigil at the Human Rights Monument on Elgin Street say they have cancelled Saturday's vigil due to the trucker protest.
The event, which was scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., will be held on Zoom. The group Canadians United Against Hate say the Zoom link is available on their Facebook page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.