Ottawa – The City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Service are working together to ensure any potential protests this weekend result in minimal disruptions to residents, visitors and businesses. There will be an increased police and by-law presence from time to time in the downtown core to ensure laws and City by-laws are respected throughout the final weekend of Winterlude.
Parking
Special parking restrictions will be in effect downtown between Friday, February 17 and Monday, February 20. Residents and visitors are advised to follow posted signage and to park their vehicles accordingly.
City of Ottawa By-law and Regulatory Services will have additional officers in the downtown core, ensuring all parking regulations are observed. Vehicles found violating these regulations will be ticketed and towed. Exceptions will be made for permit holders and hospitality service loading zones.
Ensuring all other by-laws observed
In addition to parking violations, tickets will be issued to any individual or group in violation of any other City of Ottawa By-law, including:
Unnecessary motor-vehicle or other noise, including speakers
Construction or installation of structures on City property
Open air fires
Littering
Lighting and discharging fireworks
It’s important to note that fireworks are only permitted for use two times per year – Canada Day and Victoria Day and the day before and after those days.
OC Transpo
There are no changes planned to transit services. Stay up to date on the latest transit information by visiting octranspo.com/alerts, calling 613-560-5000 or following OC Transpo’s Twitter account.
Ottawa is a safe and inclusive city for everyone
The City of Ottawa is responsible for ensuring residents feel safe in their community and in accessing the programs, businesses, services and supports that the City has to offer. The City values a diversity of minds, perspectives and lived experiences and denounces any displays of hate and racism.
The possibility of demonstrations could be cause for stress and worry. For many individuals, healing from past demonstrations is ongoing. The impact of a stressful event can be immediate or delayed and those affected can feel a range of emotions and reactions. Reach out for help, someone is there to talk. Call the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region at 613-238-3311 for services in English or French. This phone line is your connection to mental health support and resources 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This Week's Board Statement on Police Response to 2022 Convoy Protest
(Ottawa) – Today the City of Ottawa’s Auditor General presented two reports to the Ottawa Police Services Board (OPSB) at a special meeting:
Audit of the Ottawa Police Service’s Response to the Convoy Protest – The Role of the OPSB
Audit of the Ottawa Police Service’s Response to the Convoy Protest – Collaboration with the City
The Board requested the assistance of the Auditor General (AG) in undertaking a review of the Ottawa Police Service’s (OPS) response to the convoy protest in March of 2022. The Board is grateful that the AG accepted to undertake this review.
Through this review process, and specifically the audit pertaining to the OPSB, the Board was hoping to learn from the previous crisis and better understand what could have been done better and how.
The Board agrees with the AG’s assessment that this was an unprecedented and rapidly evolving event that presented unique challenges for the previous Board.
The AG has provided the Board with 11 recommendations and the Board is in agreement with all of them. The Board has outlined concrete actions it will take, including specific timelines, to address each of the recommendations.
Receiving the final report and audit from the AG is an important first step however the Board has much work ahead in order to address the recommendations, and more importantly, ensure the Board is able to satisfy its mandate and oversight responsibilities. The Board recognizes that the recommendations are only as valuable as the steps we take to address them.
The Board is also looking forward to reviewing and considering the results of other important commissions and inquiries pertaining to the convoy, including the results of the Ottawa People’s Commission as well as the Public Order Emergency Commission (POEC).
The illegal protest that occupied the streets of downtown Ottawa in early 2022 resulted in much harm to the residents and businesses of Ottawa and a loss of trust in a number of public institutions, including the Ottawa Police Services Board. The Board is committed to taking actions to help restore that trust and ensure that what took place before does not occur again.
The Ottawa Police Services Board is the civilian body responsible for governing the Ottawa Police Service. It is responsible for ensuring the provision of adequate and effective police services to the City of Ottawa’s residents.