Parliament Hill

Security escort Freedom Corp. counsel Brendan Miller out of the hearing room at the Public Order Emergency Commission, in Ottawa, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. Justice Paul Rouleau, the inquiry’s commissioner, asked security to remove Miller from the hearing after Miller spoke over the commissioner and accused him of refusing to rule on similar applications. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Convoy lawyer Brendan Miller ejected from Emergencies Act inquiry over interruptions

Tensions boiled over at the public inquiry into the government’s use of…

Security escort Freedom Corp. counsel Brendan Miller out of the hearing room at the Public Order Emergency Commission, in Ottawa, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. Justice Paul Rouleau, the inquiry’s commissioner, asked security to remove Miller from the hearing after Miller spoke over the commissioner and accused him of refusing to rule on similar applications. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is escorted by his RCMP security detail as protesters shout and throw rocks while leaving a campaign stop at a local micro brewery during the Canadian federal election campaign in London Ont., on Monday, September 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

RCMP monitored hostility from anti-vaccine movement against Trudeau since election

Prime minister set to testify at the Public Order Emergency Commission on Friday

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is escorted by his RCMP security detail as protesters shout and throw rocks while leaving a campaign stop at a local micro brewery during the Canadian federal election campaign in London Ont., on Monday, September 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
CSIS director David Vigneault holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, July 16, 2020. Top intelligence officials are first on the witness list this week at the public inquiry scrutinizing Ottawa’s use of the Emergencies Act last winter weeks into the “Freedom Convoy” protests. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

CSIS director supported invoking Emergencies Act, inquiry hears

David Vigneault was satisfied that a threat to national security had to be interpreted differently

CSIS director David Vigneault holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, July 16, 2020. Top intelligence officials are first on the witness list this week at the public inquiry scrutinizing Ottawa’s use of the Emergencies Act last winter weeks into the “Freedom Convoy” protests. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Christian Dea of Transport Canada responds to a question as he testifies at the Public Order Emergency Commission, Wednesday, November 16, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Winter ‘Freedom Convoy’ blockades cost billions to Canada’s economy, inquiry hears

Estimates from Transport Canada indicate as much as $3.9 billion in trade activity halted

Christian Dea of Transport Canada responds to a question as he testifies at the Public Order Emergency Commission, Wednesday, November 16, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki makes her way to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, in Ottawa, Monday, Oct. 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Concern about political interference with RCMP spotlighted at Emergencies Act inquiry

Commissioner Brenda Lucki denied the federal government ever exerted undue pressure on the RCMP

RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki makes her way to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, in Ottawa, Monday, Oct. 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Police walk the line to remove all truckers and supporters in Windsor, Ont., Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

CSIS warned Emergencies Act would radicalize protesters and push them toward violence

CSIS advice record released to the media Monday through the Public Order Emergency Commission

Police walk the line to remove all truckers and supporters in Windsor, Ont., Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Tamara Lich appears as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa, on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

‘Freedom Convoy’ leader challenged over assertion the protest was never told to leave

Lich said that when police told protesters in mid-February to depart, she took that as a suggestion

Tamara Lich appears as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa, on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A protester shovels snow from Wellington Street in front of a blockade of trucks as a winter storm warning is in effect, on the 22nd day of a protest against COVID-19 measures that has grown into a broader anti-government protest, in Ottawa, on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. The commission investigating the federal government's invocation of the Emergencies Act says most of the millions of dollars raised by the "Freedom Convoy" ended up in an escrow account or returned to donors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Most funds raised for ‘Freedom Convoy’ protest were returned or confiscated

Report: only about $1 million was actually spent by the convoy’s various organizers

A protester shovels snow from Wellington Street in front of a blockade of trucks as a winter storm warning is in effect, on the 22nd day of a protest against COVID-19 measures that has grown into a broader anti-government protest, in Ottawa, on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. The commission investigating the federal government's invocation of the Emergencies Act says most of the millions of dollars raised by the "Freedom Convoy" ended up in an escrow account or returned to donors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Keith Wilson, a lawyer who represented several Freedom Convoy organizers, appears as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Freedom Convoy lawyer says police gave protesters a ‘steady stream’ of information

‘Freedom Convoy’ lawyer encouraged protest to continue after Emergencies Act invoked

Keith Wilson, a lawyer who represented several Freedom Convoy organizers, appears as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Freedom Convoy organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber wait for the Public Order Emergency Commission to begin, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Freedom Convoy organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber wait for the Public Order Emergency Commission to begin, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Public Order Emergency Commission’s Commissioner Paul Rouleau speaks to counsel during a witnesses testimony, Monday, October 31, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

‘Freedom Convoy’ leaders to testify at Emergencies Act inquiry

“Freedom Convoy” organizers are expected to testify at the public inquiry into…

Public Order Emergency Commission’s Commissioner Paul Rouleau speaks to counsel during a witnesses testimony, Monday, October 31, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Former Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly appears as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa, on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. Sloly is expected to continue his testimony this morning at the public inquiry investigating Ottawa’s use of the Emergencies Act during “Freedom Convoy” protests last winter. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Ottawa police failed to follow procedure to get help during Freedom Convoy: Blair

‘Absolutely not,’ ex-chief Sloly says when asked if he was looking to assign blame

Former Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly appears as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa, on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. Sloly is expected to continue his testimony this morning at the public inquiry investigating Ottawa’s use of the Emergencies Act during “Freedom Convoy” protests last winter. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Former OPP Chief Supt. Carson Pardy appears at the Public Order Emergency Commission, in Ottawa, Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

‘Siege mentality’: OPP warned ‘Freedom Convoy’ protesters weren’t leaving Ottawa

OPP based their assessment on how long the blockades around Parliament Hill had dragged on

Former OPP Chief Supt. Carson Pardy appears at the Public Order Emergency Commission, in Ottawa, Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Police hang off a truck as authorities work to end a protest against COVID-19 measures that had grown into a broader anti-government demonstration and occupation lasting for weeks, in Ottawa, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. The head of Ontario Provincial Police is defending comments he made about the “Freedom Convoy” posing a threat to national security. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

OPP head defends comments that ‘Freedom Convoy’ was national security threat

Contradictory testimony said no credible information showed a direct threat to national security

Police hang off a truck as authorities work to end a protest against COVID-19 measures that had grown into a broader anti-government demonstration and occupation lasting for weeks, in Ottawa, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. The head of Ontario Provincial Police is defending comments he made about the “Freedom Convoy” posing a threat to national security. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
Police motion people to move back as they work to clear Rideau Street of vehicles during a demonstration in Ottawa on April 29. (File photo by The Canadian Press)

Ottawa police had tow trucks ready to remove semis: officer

Officer testifies police operation would have proceeded even if Emergencies Act not invoked

Police motion people to move back as they work to clear Rideau Street of vehicles during a demonstration in Ottawa on April 29. (File photo by The Canadian Press)
Police motion people to move back as they work to clear Rideau Street of vehicles during a demonstration in Ottawa, on Friday, April 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Ottawa police inspector worried “Freedom Convoy” could turn into Jan. 6 attack

Official concerned about the potential for ‘anti-government elements’ to latch onto the demonstration

Police motion people to move back as they work to clear Rideau Street of vehicles during a demonstration in Ottawa, on Friday, April 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Ottawa Police Service Interim Chief Steve Bell speaks during a news conference, Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Police assessment didn’t warn protesters would use Ottawa locals as ‘leverage’: Bell

Interim chief testifies intelligence before protesters arrived indicated convoy a three-day event

Ottawa Police Service Interim Chief Steve Bell speaks during a news conference, Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Ontario Provincial Police Supt. Craig Abrams appears as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

OPP officer says Emergencies Act wasn’t needed to end Ottawa ‘Freedom Convoy’ protest

OPP chief says Ottawa police chief did not trust team of public order and emergency planning experts

Ontario Provincial Police Supt. Craig Abrams appears as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Ottawa City councillor Diane Deans appears as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Police chief said ‘Freedom Convoy’ would end by first Monday: ex-police board chair

Ottawa councillor testifies she was not always given a full picture of the situation

Ottawa City councillor Diane Deans appears as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The Peace Tower is seen behind police at a gate along Queen Street as they restrict access to the streets around Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. The inquiry into the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act during February’s “Freedom Convoy” protest in Ottawa continues today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Ottawa mayor, PM accused Ford of shirking responsibility on ‘Freedom Convoy’ response

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson testifying today at the Public Order Emergency Commission

The Peace Tower is seen behind police at a gate along Queen Street as they restrict access to the streets around Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. The inquiry into the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act during February’s “Freedom Convoy” protest in Ottawa continues today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang