Ottawa, Ontario
It is Day 22 of the Freedom Convoy occupation of downtown Ottawa, and The Sentinel Dispatch has learned that police are set to use drastic measures to end the standoff.
As of Friday evening, police forces, which have included Ottawa Police, Ontario Provincial Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as officers from jurisdictions across Canada, have arrested over 100 people and towed 21 trucks.
As of press time, police have utilized horses in their efforts to push back the protesters, but measures such as tear gas have not been needed.
However, according to Wendy Bronson, spokeswoman for Ottawa Police, the situation is not resolving "nearly quickly enough, and so we've decided to proceed with more forceful measures."
According to an internal memo obtained by The Sentinel Dispatch, police have contacted Quebec singer Celine Dion, and she has agreed to travel from her American home to the capital city in order to clear the protesters.
"In preparation of Ms. Dion's arrival, integrated police forces are setting up loudspeakers along the protest route, including Wellington street and on Parliament Hill." Upon arrival, Ms. Dion has agreed to, from a secure location in Ottawa, sing a number of her hits, including The Power of Love, My Heart Will Go On, and It's All Coming Back To Me Now," writes Bronson. "Her music was used to clear out the protest near Emerson, Manitoba earlier in the week, and we're confident that it will work here also on a much larger scale."
As of press time, at least a dozen more protesters and 7 trucks have vacated the downtown, not wanting to be subjected to Ms. Dion's performance. "I'll do a lot to fight for my freedoms, but there is a line that I will not cross," said protester Bill Mansion.
From Our Ottawa Bureau
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