News that a truck convoy protest is heading for the Ontario legislative buildings in Toronto this weekend has some political leaders scrambling. The mayor of Toronto said police must do everything possible to avoid the kind of situation that has gripped Ottawa.
Already, concrete plants and other barriers are being deployed around the Ontario legislature ahead of a truck convoy planned for Saturday.
It comes as Ottawa has faced nearly a week of blaring truck horns, road closures and demonstrators protesting against a cross-border COVID-19 vaccine mandate for long-haul truckers. Some of the protesters have been holding signs and flags with hateful symbols, and there have been incidents of threatening behavior, as well as the desecration of national monuments.
Toronto Mayor John Tory said he wants police to do whatever they can to prevent the protest becoming similar to the one in Ottawa.
“I want to be absolutely clear that I support Toronto Police taking necessary action to prepare for this possible protest, with a focus on doing everything they can to protect the safety of Toronto residents and businesses,” Tory said to the City Council.
My statement to City Council this morning on possible “convoy” protests in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/pgDgeLvVS6
— John Tory (@JohnTory) February 3, 2022
Even to the west of Toronto, Mississaugua Mayor Bonnie Crombie weighed in.
‘When people start sharing messages that encourage violence, waving symbols of hate, desecrating sacred war monuments, harassing shelter staff and even taking meals away from the homeless, that’s where I draw the line,” Crombie said.
A major concern is the number of hospitals just south of the legislative buildings. Officials worry that people needing emergency care, as well as healthcare workers, have safe access to the hospitals.
Tory also said the idea that many Toronto businesses, which have just reopened after pandemic restrictions and would now be forced to close, is unacceptable.