Convoy protest was a national security threat, Ontario police boss says

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Published March 24, 2022 at 6:07 pm

Despite declarations from the 'freedom convoy,' a new McMaster University-involved study suggests the majority of Canadians support most of the mandates and lockdowns. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Thomas Carrique says a threat to national security was identified as part of the so-called freedom convoy in Ottawa.

Carrique says the province’s intelligence bureau identified the threat associated with the lengthy protest in the national capital on Feb. 7, one week before the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act.

He tells the House of Commons public safety committee the blockades were a “provincial and national emergency” that garnered international attention.

The commissioner says the various protest events taking place across the country required “unprecedented national collaboration” to prevent injury, preserve life and protect critical infrastructure.

He adds that the committee is not the appropriate forum to outline specifics of the intelligence.

Carrique appeared before the committee today to testify on the police response to the Ottawa protest against the federal government and COVID-19 health measures.

— The Canadian Press

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