‘Increased enforcement’ vowed on convoy anniversary

As the first anniversary of the convoy protest occupation approaches this weekend, the city and its police service are promising increased enforcement of municipal bylaws in the downtown core.

A media release late Thursday afternoon said the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Service were “working together to ensure city bylaws regarding parking, noise, litter and fireworks” are respected during what it called “anticipated events” downtown this weekend.

A large segment of Ottawa’s downtown, stretching from Centretown into the ByWard Market and Lowertown, was snarled by a massive number of big rigs and other trucks and vehicles during the convoy protest that began Jan. 28, 2022, and lasted until a huge police operation cleared those streets more than three weeks later in mid-February.

The media release said special parking restrictions would be in effect downtown between Friday and Sunday. Residents and visitors were advised to follow posted signs and to park their vehicles accordingly.

Additional city bylaw officers were to be in the downtown core, the release added, with all vehicles violating parking regulations subject to being ticketed and towed.

In a Twitter post, the police service said any “illegal activity or obstructing or impeding the flow of traffic with vehicles on any roadway will not be tolerated and will be met with swift and immediate action.”

In addition, the city’s release promised tickets would be issued by bylaw officers to any individual or group violating other city bylaws, including: unnecessary motor-vehicle or other noise, including speakers; construction or installation of structures on city property; public urination and defecation; open-air fires; littering; and lighting and discharging fireworks.

Use of fireworks is permitted in Ottawa only twice during the year — for three-day periods related to Victoria Day and Canada Day — the statement said.

It continued on to say no traffic closures were planned because of this weekend’s events, although the Ottawa Police Service might impose temporary closures to manage large volumes of traffic, if necessary. Drivers were advised to anticipate delays downtown.

Nor were there plans to change OC Transpo services, though riders were advised to seek out updates either online by telephone at 613-560-5000 or on the transit agency’s Twitter account.