'Traumatic experience': Ottawa business upset after vehicle convoy rolls into town
As a vehicle convoy protesting COVID-19 restrictions rolled out of the Ottawa area, a downtown business owner says the weekend slow-roll demonstration was a "traumatic experience" following last month's Freedom Convoy demonstration.
Approximately 300 vehicles took part in the demonstration through downtown Ottawa on Saturday afternoon to protest vaccine mandates and other public health restrictions.
The convoy, which originated in Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzon, Que., honked down King Edward Avenue, Laurier Avenue and O'Connor Street, before leaving Ottawa to head to Vankleek Hill.
"It was a bit of a traumatic experience, a few seconds of saying not again," said Devinder Chaudhary, owner of Aiana Restaurant.
The so-called "Next Generation" convoy arrived in Ottawa just over a month after police moved in to remove the "Freedom Convoy" occupation from Wellington Street and roads around Parliament Hill.
Chaudhary says the protest is a reminder that many businesses could still be at risk while trying to recover from the extended closures during the demonstration.
"Even today, I think many people associate the downtown core with chaos," Chaudhary said.
Horizon Ottawa is calling on people "frustrated by the actions" of Ottawa police during Saturday's protest to sign up to address the Ottawa Police Services Board meeting on Monday. Several people expressed frustration with Ottawa police tweets outlining the police response to the protest, including designating a restricted route for the "safe passage" of the convoy.
"We appreciate that this convoy was unwelcome for many residents and businesses," police said on Saturday. "All legal authorities were examined or used in accordance with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms."
The "Next Generation" convoy, made up of motorists mostly from Quebec, said Sunday they were going to Quebec's National Assembly in Quebec City.
FUNDING FOR RESTAURANTS
The convoy arrived as downtown restaurants hurt by the "Freedom Convoy" demonstration in Ottawa began receiving funding from a crowdfunding campaign.
An Ottawa-based GoFundMe raised money to help cover some of the lost revenue during the four-week demonstration.
"We were able to raise about $100,000," Chaudhary said. "We were able to give grants ranging to $1,000 to $3,000 to 42 establishments."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.