Close X
Thursday, November 28, 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

Judge dismisses bid to halt federal emergency measures, calling issue moot

Judge dismisses bid to halt federal emergency measures, calling issue moot
The group and Nagle, who took part in the anti-government protests, asked the Federal Court for an injunction last month to stay Liberal use of the emergencies law and associated measures while their full case plays out.

Judge dismisses bid to halt federal emergency measures, calling issue moot

Half of South Asian women plan to quit job: study

Half of South Asian women plan to quit job: study
More than half of the 700 South Asian women respondents to a survey by CulturaliQ and the Pink Attitude Evolution say they are planning to leave their jobs for other opportunities.

Half of South Asian women plan to quit job: study

WestJet Group to buy Sunwing Airlines amid turbulent global travel market

WestJet Group to buy Sunwing Airlines  amid turbulent global travel market
Under the agreement, a new tour operating business unit will be created under the WestJet Group, to include both Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations Inc. and will be led by Sunwing CEO Stephen Hunter.

WestJet Group to buy Sunwing Airlines amid turbulent global travel market

Vancouver home sales up 50% from start of year

Vancouver home sales up 50% from start of year
The B.C. board says Metro Vancouver home sales totalled 3,424 last month, down 8.1 per cent from 3,727 in February 2021 and up 49.8 per cent from 2,285 in January 2022. 

Vancouver home sales up 50% from start of year

The mayor of Penticton accused in lawsuit of threatening to kill siblings

The mayor of Penticton accused in lawsuit of threatening to kill siblings
A notice of application filed last week on behalf of his brother, Nicholas Vassilakakis, includes a transcript of a voice mail the mayor allegedly left their sister making the threat.

The mayor of Penticton accused in lawsuit of threatening to kill siblings

Provincial health officials says uncertainty about new variants BA.2

Provincial health officials says uncertainty about new variants BA.2
She says the province will integrate wastewater surveillance testing into its regular surveillance of respiratory illness including influenza, and also include other pathogens to get a periodic snapshot of what else may be circulating in communities.

Provincial health officials says uncertainty about new variants BA.2