OTTAWA –
Senior police members are to proceed their testimony this morning on the federal inquiry into the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act.
Supt. Robert Bernier, who oversaw the Ottawa police command centre for a portion of the “Freedom Convoy” demonstrations in February, stated he would have carried out a preplanned police operation even when the regulation had not been invoked.
He additionally stated he did not want the federal authorities to compel truck drivers to take away automobiles that have been within the downtown core, as a result of police had already assembled 34 tow vans with prepared drivers.
But Bernier additionally informed the fee throughout an interview that the emergency declaration could have persuaded protesters to remain away from downtown Ottawa and be extra compliant with police.
During the convoy, Ottawa police stated one in all their limitations to convey the protests to an finish was an unwillingness of tow truck drivers to assist transfer lots of of automobiles blocking the streets round Parliament Hill.
The Emergencies Act, which was invoked on Feb. 14, granted momentary and extraordinary powers to police and governments to finish the demonstrations, permitting police and metropolis officers to commandeer tow vans to maneuver large rigs and different automobiles.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Oct. 26, 2022