With the anticipated attendance of Ottawa’s mayor, the investigation into the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act during the “Freedom Convoy” protest in February resumes on Tuesday.
After his chief of staff and Ottawa’s city manager testified Monday, outgoing mayor Jim Watson is anticipated to offer much awaited evidence on municipal efforts to handle the three-week rally.
Then, departing councillor Diane Deans, who presided over the regional police services board throughout the emergency and was relieved of her duties shortly after the declaration of the federal emergency, is anticipated to give testimony.
This week’s public inquiry will also hear from senior officers from the Ontario Provincial Police and the Ottawa Police Service.
The commission is investigating the events leading up to the emergency declaration on February.
14 and the responses to the protest, which resulted in the occupation of a section of Ottawa’s downtown near Parliament Hill.
Watson’s testimony comes only a few days before of Ottawa’s municipal vote on Monday, where neither he nor Deans will be seeking re-election.
The hearings are expected to run six weeks and include testimony from 65 witnesses, including government officials, police officers and convoy organizers.
The following six witnesses on the list are all scheduled to testify before the commission this week.
Jim Watson, the mayor of Ottawa, is scheduled to speak at the Emergencies Act inquiry
About Author
