Last Friday marked the first Canada Day in Ottawa with major in-person events since 2019. Thousands of tourists and residents came downtown to celebrate the holiday. In the mix were several hundred protesters associated with the “Freedom Convoy” movement that paralyzed downtown Ottawa in February. Ottawa police have been out in force since June 29 with the implementation of the downtown vehicle control zone, which was aimed at preventing another takeover of the city by vehicles. Police said they arrested a dozen people in downtown Ottawa between June 29 and July 3, including people who were not participating in Canada Day events or protests. In addition to the 50 criminal charges, four charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act were also laid. A man was arrested on Parliament Hill on June 29 for causing a disturbance. He was transported back to Toronto on an outstanding warrant. On June 30, police charged a person with violating release orders and highway traffic violations after a traffic stop on the 417 Freeway at Anderson Street. Later that day, three people were arrested following an incident at the National War Memorial in which a police officer allegedly drowned. Charges include assaulting police, resisting arrest, causing a disturbance and assault by strangulation. That incident came shortly after Canadian soldier James Topp, who is facing a court-martial for criticizing the government’s COVID-19 vaccination rules while in uniform, completed his walk protesting vaccine orders. Hundreds of people had gathered at the War Memorial to hear Topp speak. On Canada Day, a man was arrested and charged for allegedly pulling a knife on RCMP officers near LeBreton Flats after officers broke up a fight. Two more people have been arrested and are facing multiple assault charges after an attack at the ByWard Market. On July 2, police arrested two people in a vehicle and seized a handgun. Several gun and drug charges were filed. Patrol officers also seized a gun in Sandy Hill that afternoon and charged a man with drug and weapons offenses. On July 3, police arrested a woman for being drunk after allegedly spitting in the face of a police officer. He now also faces an assault charge. Ottawa police have not named any of the accused. Police are also investigating paint on public property in Strathcona Park and Wellington Street. Protesters painted messages for parade organizers Pat King and Tamara Lich on Wellington Street on Canada Day. Police also said earlier they dismissed 19 impaired driving charges over the weekend. Ottawa Regulation towed 121 vehicles from the vehicle control zone between June 29 and July 3 and issued 513 parking tickets.
