Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has criticized truck drivers’ protests across the country as “unacceptable”.
Truckers’s rights have been neglected, we too are humans having right to choose “Please Save Us” PM needs to understand this, Says one of the trucker involved in the protest.
Speaking to parliament in Ottawa, he defended Covid’s restrictions that caused truck drivers to gather in the country’s capital.
Ottawa police meanwhile warned protesters not to be arrested, and a guilty verdict could cost them their jobs.
Protests in Ottawa and two Canadian-US property have been going on for two weeks.
“Prohibitions, illegal exhibitions are unacceptable, and have a detrimental effect on businesses and producers,” Mr Trudeau said Wednesday.
“We have to do everything to end it.”
He said the protesters were “trying to disrupt our economy, democracy and the daily lives of our citizens”.
“It must stop.”
Mr Trudeau returned to parliament on Monday following a week-long solitary confinement after catching a coronavirus.
Since Monday motorists have been blocking the world’s largest bridge suspended at a border crossing that accounts for about a quarter of US-Canada trade.
The closure of the Ambassador Bridge by about 100 protesters on their main lines has been criticized by trade groups. The span connects Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan.
Automotive manufacturers in the region say they have had to reduce production and replacement hours due to a shortage of parts caused by the ongoing blockade. Industry experts say that it could lead to the demise of companies and the increase in consumer prices.
Toyota, the world’s largest carmaker, has suspended production at three Ontario factories, saying no more cars will be manufactured there this week.
The White House has called for an end to protests, saying it poses a threat to the automotive industry and agricultural trade in the US.
About 400 trucks are left in central Ottawa after arriving there late last month. Police said on Wednesday protesters may be charged with “assault” because they prevent local residents “legal use, enjoying their property”.
Ottawa police have warned that “anyone blocking roads or assisting others in blocking roads is likely to commit a criminal offense”.
They added that the sentencing could lead to the seizure of their vehicles, and they could enter the US. Police have also increased the fines for noise, engine failure and other city violations to C $ 1,000 ($ 790, £ 585) per case.
Truck drivers are protesting against a law that says truck drivers entering Canada are completely vaccinated against coronavirus. Protesters also protested against Covid’s passports and masked instructions.
Mr Trudeau has refused to back down on Covid’s government’s approach, as provinces begin to remove their borders.
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Prince Edward Island have all announced plans to suggest more mitigation measures this month. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick also lowered some restrictions.
On Tuesday, Alberta Prime Minister Jason Kenney said the epidemic-related laws had “disrupted and disrupted livelihoods” in the province.
In Coutts, Alberta, on the border with the U.S. state of Montana, RCMP officials began issuing tickets on Wednesday to remove dozens of trucks that had blocked the crossing in about two weeks. No arrests have been made, and authorities say law enforcement will be done in “phases” that begin with data collection.
“It will definitely be for them,” said RCMP Superintendent Roberta McKale, urging them to go it alone.
“So far we have been asking them and this afternoon we have no choice, we will have to use our methods to force that to happen.”
Mr Trudeau faced criticism from his party over his handling of the protests, which came as the number of Omicron cases dropped dramatically.
Quebec MP Joël Lightbound, his Liberal counterpart, has criticized the prime minister this week for “demonic” groups that do not comply with Covid’s directives.
“It will be difficult to know when public health and when politics start,” said Mr Lightbound. “It ‘s time to stop dividing the Canadian people and comparing one sect with another.”
Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen accused Mr Trudeau on Wednesday of seeking a “perpetual epidemic”.
“The prime minister must set aside his intentions,” he said. “He must do what is right in the country. He must abolish power. He must abolish borders.”
Night falls on the Ambassador Bridge and protesters ahead.