Federal Ministers Hold News Conference on the Situation in Ottawa – Feb. 19,2022

In a virtual news conference, federal ministers provide an update on the current situation in Ottawa, where police are continuing to clear protesters who have occupied the city's downtown for several weeks. Participating in the news conference are Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino; Helena Jaczek, the minister responsible for FedDev Ontario; Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair; Justice Minister David Lametti; Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc; International Trade Minister Mary Ng; Treasury Board President Mona Fortier; and Yasir Naqvi, the parliamentary secretary to the emergency preparedness minister and the MP for the riding of Ottawa Centre.

The ministers announce economic assistance for businesses affected by the ongoing protests in Ottawa and discuss measures that have been implemented following the government’s declaration of a public-order emergency under the Emergencies Act. The federal government made the declaration on February 14, 2022, as part of an effort to resolve ongoing blockades and protests in several parts of the country, including the city of Ottawa. Police efforts to clear the protesters in Ottawa began on February 18. (February19, 2022) (no interpretation)