Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
National

Convoy cost Ottawa $36.3M, memo says

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Mar, 2022 10:16 AM
  • Convoy cost Ottawa $36.3M, memo says

OTTAWA - Local leaders in Ottawa are being told that the city's response to the three-week convoy protest last month cost municipal coffers over $36 million.

A memo to councillors released by the city says almost all of the $36.3-million bill is linked to policing the protest that clogged city streets by Parliament Hill in the downtown core.

The memo from city staff says policing costs total $35 million, including the help of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Excluding the Mounties, the policing bill falls to $27.7 million for wages, accommodations for out-of-town help, supplies and to cover costs for food and what the memo calls "vehicle expenses."

City staff say they plan to formally ask the provincial and federal governments to cover all costs linked to the local response to the so-called freedom convoy.

But the final tally may yet grow.

The city's non-police response cost $1.3 million, but the memo notes that amount doesn't include the yet-to-be-determined cost to repair damaged infrastructure.

The convoy of big rigs and other vehicles rolled into Ottawa at the end of January to protest public health restrictions and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government.

Police had originally thought the protesters would stay for the weekend and then move on, but it quickly became apparent that those involved had no plans to leave that swiftly.

Local, provincial and federal leaders labelled it an illegal occupation of the national capital, but it took weeks before police moved in to clear streets.

The situation roiled local residents, businesses and politicians. The police chief resigned and every police services board member eventually resigned their seats except for chair Coun. Diane Deans, who was removed by council.

The total costs in the memo don't include losses to downtown businesses, which are estimated to be in the millions. It also doesn't include almost $30,000 in relief payments to social service providers whose operations were similarly impacted.

MORE National ARTICLES

Surrey's Vaisakhi parade cancelled third year in a row due to COVID19 concerns

Surrey's Vaisakhi parade cancelled third year in a row due to COVID19 concerns
The magnitude and planning of this event takes a full year to complete and given the tight turnaround between the constantly changing public health order restrictions being lifted and the scheduled date of the parade, organizers did not feel they could responsibly honour the importance and magnitude of the event in this timeline.    

Surrey's Vaisakhi parade cancelled third year in a row due to COVID19 concerns

Not all fleeing Ukraine offered Canadian haven

Not all fleeing Ukraine offered Canadian haven
The Canadian government is allowing Ukrainians who have fled Russian aggression to come to Canada temporarily for a period of two years "for those who need a safe haven while the war ravages their homeland," Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced last week.

Not all fleeing Ukraine offered Canadian haven

Canada sanctions 10 more Russians over Ukraine war

Canada sanctions 10 more Russians over Ukraine war
The new sanctions came on the first stop of a four-country tour of Europe, as Trudeau meets allies from across the continent to discuss and co-ordinate the West’s response to Russia’s invasion.

Canada sanctions 10 more Russians over Ukraine war

Quick thinking 13 year-old has keen instincts for safety

Quick thinking 13 year-old has keen instincts for safety
Police say the girl refused the offer made while she was walking near the Steveston United Church late yesterday afternoon. They say she refused again when man then offered money as an enticement for a ride and immediately notified her mother after she arrived home.

Quick thinking 13 year-old has keen instincts for safety

Vigil held for security guard Harmandeep Kaur killed at UBC Okanagan

Vigil held for security guard Harmandeep Kaur killed at UBC Okanagan
24 year old Harmandeep Kaur died in a Kelowna hospital after being attacked early last Saturday morning. R-C-M-P say a suspect who was also working at the university was arrested under the Mental Health Act and could face a murder charge.

Vigil held for security guard Harmandeep Kaur killed at UBC Okanagan

340 COVID19 cases for Friday

340 COVID19 cases for Friday
There are 484 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 69 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, eight new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,903.

340 COVID19 cases for Friday