Canada Day Ottawa: Ottawa police prepare for festivities, possible protests

Four people were arrested in downtown Ottawa Thursday night as thousands of people began arriving in the capital for Canada Day celebrations.

Ottawa police said officers responded to a « situation » in the Wellington Street and Elgin Street area, and the incidents included « assaults on officers ».

CTV News’ Mackenzie Gray said the people were arrested at the National War Memorial, where some gathered to greet Canadian Forces veteran James Topp after his March to Freedom.

Ottawa police said Thursday night that the investigation into the incident is continuing.

« We are reviewing the video and investigating the incident at the National War Memorial tonight, » said the police on Twitter. ‘Initial investigation reveals an interaction with officers became confrontational and 1 officer was suffocated. Other officers responded immediately, 4 people were arrested.’

The arrests were announced hours after the police chief encouraged people to visit downtown Ottawa and LeBreton Flats to celebrate Canada Day, promising it will be a « safe environment ».

Police in patrol cars, on foot and on bicycles patrol the Parliamentary Precinct, the ByWard Market and the so-called ‘motor vehicle control zone’ as the city prepares for Canada’s 155th anniversary celebrations and possible demonstrations.

« Come on, don’t worry. It’s a festival. It’s to celebrate Canada, which is why we’ve gone so far as to put in place the plans and resources around it, » the chef said. acting Steve Bell. Evan Solomon show. « It will be a safe environment tomorrow, which is why we are here to make sure of that. »

Tens of thousands of people are expected to visit LeBreton Flats for Canada Day celebrations or visit downtown restaurants and attractions. Several demonstrations are planned for downtown Ottawa on Thursday and Friday.

Bell says the Ottawa police and its law enforcement partners are ready for anything.

« It’s going to be big tomorrow because it’s Canada Day, so there could be over 100,000 people in and around this area, » Bell said. « Among these will be people legally engaged in protests. This is what we have planned, so we are ready for any eventuality. »

Officers from the Ontario Provincial Police, RCMP and municipal police forces have been deployed to Ottawa to assist the Ottawa Police.

A Motor Vehicle Control Zone has been established from Colonel By Drive/Sussex Drive to the east, Booth Street to the west, Wellington Street to the north and Laurier Avenue to the east, as well as the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway.

« Officers are vigilant about what is happening, trying to maintain the normal flow of traffic entering the area. »

Motor vehicles taking part in any form of demonstration, event or protest will not be permitted in the town centre. There will be no on-street parking or stopping on the Control Zone roads.

Ottawa regulations said that since 8 a.m. Wednesdayofficers issued 234 parking tickets and towed 59 vehicles from the vehicle control zone around the Parliamentary Precinct.

On Wednesday, officers stopped a small convoy of vehicles in the Pinecrest Road and Hwy area. 417 and several tickets were issued. In an interview on CTV News Ottawa on Wednesday evening, Bell defended the actions of officers to stop vehicles in the capital region.

« We actually have good legal grounds for the plans we’ve put in place. We’re making sure we stay on legal grounds because it’s very important as a police service, » Bell said. « We’re comfortable with the posture we’re taking and the actions officers are taking, and it’s all in the name that we keep the public safe and we can have a happy, festive Canada Day. »

FOUR PEOPLE ARRESTED IN DOWNTOWN

Ottawa police say four people were arrested when officers responded to a « situation » in the Wellington Street and Elgin Street area Thursday night.

« Incidents include officers being assaulted, » police said on Twitter.

The Wellington and Elgin area is at the National War Memorial, where hundreds of people had gathered.

POLICE OPERATION

Ottawa police say a person was arrested for violating bail conditions in the east.

Police were involved in an ongoing operation on Highway 417 at Anderson Road Friday morning.

Police say the person was arrested for violating bail conditions, including not entering Ottawa. A vehicle was also towed.

LEBRETON APARTMENTS

Preparations continued all day Thursday for Canada Day festivities at LeBreton Flats.

« It’s great to finally be back and going again, » said seller Paul Baker. « I’ve missed it for the past few years.

Tourists began arriving in Ottawa for the anniversary celebrations.

« I’m thrilled to be on Parliament Hill, » said Ann Health, who is from the United States. « It’s super exciting. Just to feel the energy. »

Hamzrah Riaz is visiting Ottawa from Kitchener.

« We can’t wait to join in the celebrations tomorrow night. The fireworks and all the amazing things happening here. »

SNOW BIRDS

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will not be participating in Canada Day festivities in Ottawa.

The Royal Canadian Air Force announced on Friday that the Snowbirds’ flyby over Ottawa has been canceled, following a problem with the plane’s emergency ejection parachute that grounded the fleet for nearly of a week.

PARLIAMENT HILL

Visitors to Parliament Hill will be required to pass through a security checkpoint and be searched by a Parliamentary Protective Service officer.

A sign on the fence along Wellington Street indicates that several items are prohibited, including tables, speakers, barbecues, spray cans, weapons, fireworks and sports equipment.

MOTOR VEHICLE CONTROL ZONE

A motor vehicle control zone remains in effect around the Parliamentary Precinct, downtown Ottawa and roads near LeBreton Flats.

The area stretches from Colonel By Drive/Sussex Drive to the east, Booth Street to the west, Laurier Avenue to the south and Wellington Street to the north, as well as Sir John A Macdonald and Albert Street west of Booth Street.

Roads in the motor vehicle control area are not closed today; however, motor vehicles taking part in any form of demonstration, event or protest will not be permitted in the area. There will be no on-street parking or stopping on the Control Zone roads.

The City of Ottawa says a motor vehicle control zone will be in effect from Wednesday at 8 a.m. until July 4 at 6 a.m. (City of Ottawa/Twitter)

TICKETS AND TOW VEHICLES

Ottawa By-Law Services says officers are on site to ensure all parking regulations are obeyed in the motor vehicle control zone.

“Any vehicles found violating the no stopping zones will be ticketed and towed. Parking time limits and no parking zones outside the city center will also be strictly enforced,” a said the city.

The Ottawa settlement will also focus on the following regulations to ensure residents and visitors abide by the rules over the Canada Day weekend.

• No unnecessary motor vehicle or other noise, including loudspeakers or shouting
• No unnecessary idling of the motor vehicle
• Do not obstruct a sidewalk or roadway by any means, including setting up tents or other illegal structures
• No urinating or defecating in public
• No open fires
• No waste
• Discharging Fireworks – breaching any regulations under the Fireworks Regulations.

PARKING IN THE CITY CENTER

Ottawa City Hall and the municipal underground parking lot will be closed all weekend.

City Hall and the parking lot will be closed from 5:00 p.m. Thursday to 6:00 a.m. Monday.