Toronto police shut down roads, plan to limit disruption as convoy protesters arrive in city

As demonstratorscontinueto arrive in downtownToronto Fridayahead of a planned protestagainst COVID-19 health measures, city councillorsare assuring residents they have been working to minimize theimpactas much as possible.

Providing a preview of what could be in store this weekend,protestershonkedtheir horns and heldup traffic near Queen's Park as they arrived in the city. Police blocked trucks and tractors about 200 metres north of the legislature.

Mike Layton, Kristyn Wong Tam and Joe Cressy who allrepresent downtown wards said in a statement that theyhave been meeting with the Toronto police and other City of Toronto staff to discuss the substantial concerns theyhave heard from, and share, with residents.

"It is our strong and shared view that hate speech and hate symbols are unacceptable," the statement from the councillors said.

"People have a fundamental right to protest, but the moment this protest crosses the line and there is the presence of hate speech or symbols, harassment, or interference with hospital and health care operations, or access to health-care, it cannot be tolerated and the response to this must be immediate. The City of Toronto has a duty to protect those who live and work here."

At a news conference Friday afternoon, interim Chief of Police James Ramersaid people can expect to seeofficers in the downtown core near Queen's Park and in "other areas around the city" at times during the weekend.

"Our objectives will be to ensure public safety and to limit disruption to the city and its residents as much as possible," Ramer said.

Road closures in effect

Even before vehicles and protesters arrived, policeclosed some roads in the downtown core Friday morningtomost traffic to ensure access to hospitals near Queen's Park.

The following road closures were announced Friday evening:

• College Street from University Avenue to Yonge Street.
• Queen's Park Crescent from College Street to Bloor Street West.
• Queen Street West from Yonge Street to University Avenue.
• Bay Street from Bloor Street West to Queen Street.

Parking restrictions are also in place for a number of surrounding streets.

Police are asking the public to avoid these areas and plan to use public transit if they must travel to the area.

However, hospital staff, workers, patients, family and those picking up patients will have access, police say.

In a series of tweets, Toronto police said in order to "protect Hospital Row,"University Avenue between College Street and Queen Street, and College Street from University Avenue to Yonge Street,would be closed from 11:30 a.m. Friday onwards to "normal traffic and any convoys.

"Hospital staff, workers, patients, family and people collecting patients will have access," police said. "These closures could remain in place all weekend. We will continue to assess the situation and make any adjustments where needed. We will continue to update the public.

"Please avoid demo areas, where possible, as it is likely to cause delays."

Flyers advertisinga "convoy for freedom" at Queen's Parkhave been circulating on social media this week. In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, Toronto police said there will be a "large police presence in and around the downtown core" Saturday.

Mayor John Tory said he is hoping for a "respectful, peaceful protest," and urged anyone who has plans to do otherwise to "stay home.

"Peaceful and respectful is the way we do things here," Tory said.

The mayor also noted that about 90 per cent of Toronto residents have had a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and about 60 per cent have had a third dose, which he said shows the bulk of the city is on the same page when it comes to fighting against the virus's spread.

Protest in Ottawa continues

A pandemic restrictions protest in Ottawa has been going on for a week, with vehicles parked and honking on roads leading to Parliament Hill since last Friday, and widespread reports of threats and harassment in the area.

Ottawa police said Fridaythey willincrease their presence and further restrict access to the city's downtown to control what's expected to be another weekend of noisy protests, but they warn the situation remains volatile and dangerous.

Ottawa police Chief Peter Slolyalso said in a Friday news conference that he and other unnamed city officials have received death threats in the last two days that are under investigation.

Premier Doug Ford said Friday that the situation in Ottawa is no longer a protest, but rather an "occupation." He also noted that public health measures that were implemented to curb the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant are being lifted "as we speak."

Ford also said there will be "zero tolerance" for "anyharassment or acts of hatred or acts of violence" at the protest in Toronto.

Ramer said Toronto police have been keeping an eye on the protests in Ottawa, and are going to "strongly encourage" staging areas for vehicles where they will cause "minimal disruption."

He would not specify exactly where those areas would be, but did say those locations are being discussed with protest organizers.

"Vehicles will not be congregating around Queen's Park," he said.

A group of health-care workers is also planning a counter-protest in the area Saturday, saidDr. Phillip Berger, a physician at St. Michael's Hospital in downtown Toronto who is one of the counter-protest organizers.

He said the group has no interest in verbal or physical confrontations, but it does intend to create a street presence in the area to show support for health-care workers.

"We just want to show Torontonians that health-care workers have the right to walk any street they want to in downtown Toronto, and defend the interests of ailing Torontonians," Berger told CBC News.

"We're not going to be intimidated, we're not afraid, and we expect that the protesters will behave in a Canadian-like way, and leave us alone and let us express our opinions, which differ from theirs."

WATCH | Health-care workers planning counter-protest:

Toronto counter-protesters, health-care workers stand in solidarity

3 years ago

Duration 6:31

Dr. Philip Berger and a group of health-care workers in Toronto are organizing to stand up for their right to a safe workplace, free from harassment.

Ramer was also asked Friday how long police plan to allow any protests to continue, considering disruption in Ottawa has continued for a week now. Hesaid the "intention" is to not allowpeople to camp or stay for "any duration of time.

"We'll assess the event as it goes," he said.

Ontario Chamber of Commerce callsfor calm

In a joint statement issued Friday morning, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) called for calm amid the ongoing protest in Ottawa and in advance of any protest in Toronto.

"We strongly urge those exercising their right to freedom of expression to do so peacefully, and in a manner that is respectful to residents, patients seeking care, health care personnel performing their duties and businesses who are only just now reopening," OHA head Anthony Dale and and OCC President and CEO Rocco Rossi said.

"There have been many sacrifices already made throughout the pandemic. Let's not add to the burden and loss of those who have already given so much."