Trucker convoy Canada 2022: Elon Musk calls truckers ‘new government’ as satellite photos show Ottawa blockade

Ottawa police are investigating an incident where several members of the truckers’ protest were seen climbing on a cenotaph and dancing on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Shepherds of Good Hope homelessness charity last night tweeted about the protest’s effect on its staff, pointing out that trucks were parked in their ambulance drop off zone for nearly 12 hours before being towed.

As the truckers honk their horns and disrupt life for Ottawa citizens with their anti-mandate protest, sympathetic outlets and users are sharing video of the atmosphere around the rally in the downtown area last night.

If you’re only just tuning in to the events unfolding in Ottawa, The Independent’s Joe Sommerlad has this explainer.

The Ottawa Police last night sketched out what they expect to happen in the city’s downtown core today and this week, reassuring people that efforts to “de-escalate” the demonstration remain underway…but that they should still be vigilant in the name of public safety.

Downtown Ottawa may see a “significant level” of normalcy in the coming 24 to 48 hours, the chief of the capital city’s police has said.

“We have some relative hope that within the next 24 to 48 hours, we’ll be back to a significant level, if not a full level of normalcy,” Peter Sloly, Ottawa police chief was quoted by Ottawa Citizen as saying on Sunday.

The prediction comes after the last few days of chaotic demonstrations by the truckers which included the desecration of the National War Memorial and Terry Fox statue.

The leaders of demonstrators have announced to stay in the Canadian capital “as long as it takes” for the government to fold and withdraw vaccine mandates.

The police have registered several cases against the demonstrators for the chaos over the weekend.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk once again took a jibe at the Canadian government over the ongoing demonstrations by truckers, saying that the so-called “fringe minority” seemed to actually be the government.

In a tweet on Sunday replying to the footage of crowded Ottawa streets, Musk said: “It would appear that the so-called “fringe minority” is actually the government.”

In another tweet, he said: ‘If the government had the mandate of the people, there would be a significant counter-protest. There is not, therefore they do not.”

Earlier on Thursday, Musk tweeted “Canadian truckers rule” as reports of the truckers protesting in Ottawa made international news.

Canada’s House of Commons will resume work on Monday as scheduled, after a six-week holiday break, despite the convoy protestors and vehicles blocking access to parliament.

“The House will reconvene at 11 am tomorrow, as planned, in accordance with the Standing Orders,” the Speaker’s office confirmed on Sunday.

No comment has been made on what security arrangements will be in place with thousands of protesters expected to still be in Ottawa.

Truckers have threatened to remain in the capital until their demands are met.

The Ottawa police have estimated the policing costs of managing the protest at more than $800,000 (£468,000) per day, urging residents to not travel towards the downtown core.

“Throughout the weekend, the Ottawa Police Service and its partners have been actively and patiently managing a well-funded, major demonstration in the downtown core,” the police of the Canadian capital said in a statement released on Sunday.

“We have seen multiple cases of disruptive, inappropriate and threatening behaviour from demonstrators.”

“Along with the safety issues, costs to businesses and social costs, the Ottawa Police continues to tally the financial costs of the policing costs which are estimated at more than $800,000 a day,” the statement further said.

“Police are aware that many demonstrators have announced their intention to stay in place. This will continue to cause major traffic, noise and safety issues in the downtown core. We urge all residents to avoid travel to the core,” the statement said, adding that the police has so far avoided ticketing and towing vehicle to not instigate the demonstrators.

“Still, confrontations and the need for de-escalation has regularly been required,” it said.

The police asked those working in the downtown core to plan to work from home if possible. It also said if children attend school in the downtown area, parents should first check if the school is open tomorrow

Alberta’s premier has asked for the vehicle blockade preventing access to the Canada-US border crossing to end, warning it “dangerously” impedes emergency services.

“This blockade must end immediately,” Jason Kenney said in a statement on Sunday. “[It] could dangerously impede the movement of emergency service vehicles.”

The massive blockade of vehicles on the US-Canada border since Saturday afternoon is a result of the ongoing nationwide protests called by truckers who are demanding a repeal of vaccine mandates, masks and lockdowns.

It has brought traffic between the US and Canada to a standstill.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a statement earlier that the efforts to clear the area are ongoing and they are coordinating with the protesting truckers.