Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that “everything”—with the exception of deploying the Canadian Armed Forces—is currently on the table to bring the ongoing protests and blockades set up across the country to an end.
Trudeau declined to get into specifics about just how or when the demonstrations will be ceased, citing concerns over a violent outcome.
“This unlawful activity has to end, and it will end,” Trudeau told reporters on Friday. “I can’t say too much more now as to exactly when, or how this ends because unfortunately we are concerned about violence. So we’re taking every precaution to keep people safe, but the absolute safest way for this to end is for everyone to return to your communities, now.”
While the federal government has indicated it’s considering a range of next steps, Trudeau said that Canada remains “a long way” from the rarely-taken step of calling in the Canadian Armed Forces.
“There are further steps for law enforcement to take as that happens or not,” Trudeau told reporters on Friday. “Although of course, we have to be ready for any eventuality, but it is not something we are seriously contemplating at this time.”
The so-called “Freedom Convoy” protesters have been encamped around Parliament Hill for two weeks in pursuit of an end to all vaccine mandates and other public health restrictions. In the face of all previous calls to leave, organizers have vowed to hold their ground long-term, and police are bracing for a third weekend where an influx of trucks and protesters will clog the downtown core.
Since the protests hit the capital, truck drivers and supporters in personal vehicles have choked off traffic at key border crossings in Coutts, Alta., Windsor, Ont. and Emerson, Man., prompting considerable economic and supply chain implications.
The prime minister said that the protesters’ frustrations with public health measures have been heard, but the current demonstrations are not going to help the pandemic end any sooner.
He said the government reconsiders daily whether the current measures are still the best fit for the current phase of the pandemic, but ultimately the federal vaccine mandates are not among the measures the Liberals are considering changing.
“I want to make something very clear. The illegal blockades seeking to take our neighbourhoods and our economy hostage, and the collective COVID fatigue we’re facing are two very separate things. If you joined the protests because you’re tired of COVID, you now need to understand you’re breaking laws,” Trudeau said.
“We’ve heard you, it’s time to go home now,” he said, adding particularly if they have children with them, or risk facing “severe” legal consequences. “We are very hopeful that people will choose to leave these protests peacefully.”
Asked what is prompting the government’s concerns that the situation could turn violent, whether weapons or elements in the crowds, Trudeau didn’t get specific.
“There is always a concern around escalation, but the police have a robust framework within which they go step by step on making it more and more difficult for the protests to continue,” he said.
Trudeau also said that the border closures “cannot and will not” be allowed to continue, something he discussed in a call with U.S. President Joe Biden earlier on Friday.
The White House confirmed the meeting took place, and according to a readout of the call, Trudeau promised “quick action” in enforcing the law, and Biden thanked him for taking steps to restore entry into the U.S.
