Convoy rally participants cited for excessive noise, parking violations: police chief

Ottawa police and bylaw officers issued multiple "violations" to people who took part in a weekend rally to mark the second anniversary of what's become known as the Freedom Convoy, according to an email from the city's police chief.

Chief Eric Stubbs sent the email Wednesday afternoon to Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and other members of city council, detailing the range of alleged infractions.

It was sent not long after the city's general manager of emergency and protective services, Kim Ayotte, told media Wednesday morning that no tickets were issued over the weekend.

"We have several investigations ongoing with regards to the use of fireworks and noise-producing devices," Ayotte said.

"However, at this point in time, no tickets have been issued, as it was identified that there was an officer safety issue during the convoy protest."

In an email to CBC, Roger Chapman, the director of the city's bylaw and regulatory services department, said no fines were issued and that only one investigation — into an illegal discharge of fireworks downtown — remains open.

Chief Eric Stubbs, seen here last fall, detailed the list of infractions in an email sent yesterday to city council. (Jean Delisle/CBC)

'Multiple violations'

It is unclear why there is a discrepancy in statements from police and bylaw services.

But in Stubbs' email, which was obtained by CBC, the police chief said that "a significant amount of police presence was required for the convoy-related demonstration, including a plan to ensure convoys could not enter the downtown area."

Enforcement efforts were "clear and present," Stubbs said, and police and bylaw officers issued "multiple violations" to the rally's participants, including:

• Driving while suspended.

• Operating a vehicle with no insurance.

• Failing to surrender a driving permit.

• Driving a motor vehicle with no currently validated permit.

• Parking infractions.

• Excessive noise.

• Driving the wrong way in one-way traffic.

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An "unplated vehicle parked on the highway" was also towed, Stubbs wrote.

People attend the anniversary of the end of the self-styled 'Freedom Convoy' protest on Saturday. (Patrick Doyle/The Canadian Press)

2 arrested the next day

At around 7 p.m. Saturday, police got reports of noise and fireworks near Queen and Kent streets, Stubbs said.

Both police and bylaw immediately responded, Stubbs said, and demonstrators were "warned about what constitutes lawful behaviour."

The participants did not continue making disturbances, he added, and the group dispersed soon after.

The Parliamentary Protective Service also arrested two people "related to the convoy demonstrators" the next day, Stubbs said.

After they were handed over to Ottawa police, one man was charged with assault, Stubbs wrote, while a woman "received a trespass notice and was removed from the area."

CBC shared Stubbs' email to a spokesperson with bylaw services, who replied late yesterday afternoon to confirm that their department "did not issue any charges over the weekend."