State of emergency declared in Ottawa due to anti-vaccine mandate convoy

A protester stands on a barricade as trucks continue to block the city centre in protest of Covid-19 restrictions, in Ottawa (The Canadian Press via AP)

The mayor of Canada’s capital declared a state of emergency as protesters opposed to Covid-19 restrictions continued to paralyse Ottawa’s downtown.

Mayor Jim Watson said the declaration highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government. It gives the city some additional powers around procurement and how it delivers services, which could help purchase equipment required by frontline workers and first responders.