Close X
Thursday, November 14, 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

The Province is providing $195M in funding in life sciences

The Province is providing $195M in funding in life sciences
Kahlon says the province wants to leverage B-C's contributions to developing and manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines towards learning how to deal with future pandemics.

The Province is providing $195M in funding in life sciences

Lawyer says no proof of corruption needed at former clerk's trial at legislature

Lawyer says no proof of corruption needed at former clerk's trial at legislature
Gavin Cameron accused special prosecutors of trying to "rewrite history" in his closing arguments at James's trial in B-C Supreme Court on charges of fraud and breach of trust.

Lawyer says no proof of corruption needed at former clerk's trial at legislature

New calf among southern resident killer whales

New calf among southern resident killer whales
Three separate pods — K, J and L — make up the endangered southern resident population of just over 70 whales, which mostly travel off the coasts of British Columbia, Washington and Oregon.

New calf among southern resident killer whales

Canadian banks hike prime rate in line with BoC

Canadian banks hike prime rate in line with BoC
Canada's Big Five banks — RBC, TD Bank, BMO, CIBC, and Scotiabank — all said they would increase their prime rates to 2.70 from 2.45 per cent, effective March 3.

Canadian banks hike prime rate in line with BoC

VPD seeks person of interest in Tatlow Park homicide

VPD seeks person of interest in Tatlow Park homicide
Police have released security video taken December 9th of a man walking on the south side of Point Grey Road bordering Tatlow Park, the day they believe Justis Daniel was murdered in the caretaker's residence in the park.

VPD seeks person of interest in Tatlow Park homicide

47 Canadians charged in global investigation

47 Canadians charged in global investigation
The Mounties said 186 charges have been laid in Canada so far during the investigation, dubbed Operation H. Arrests have been made in eight provinces over the past two years, they said, adding the investigation is still underway.

47 Canadians charged in global investigation