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A weeks-long blockade in the Canadian capital has led to almost 200 arrests and prolonged suffering for businesses caught in the middle of protests against Covid-19 mandates.
Canadian authorities on Sunday froze the finances associated with certain individuals and companies believed to be involved in the ongoing protests in Ottawa, according to Mike Duheme, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) deputy commissioner of federal policing.
The RCMP froze 206 financial products, including bank and corporate accounts; disclosed the information of 56 entities associated with vehicles, individuals and companies; shared 253 bitcoin addresses with virtual currency exchangers; and froze a payment processing account valued at $3.8 million, Duheme said at a news conference.
“We continue to work at collecting relevant information on persons, vehicles and companies and remain in daily communication with the financial institution to assist them,” Duheme said.
As a result of the protest, investigators are also looking into two police-involved incidents Saturday at the protests in Ottawa, Ontario authorities said Sunday.
“The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating two police-involved incidents that occurred at the demonstrations in Ottawa yesterday and is urging anyone who has information, including video, to come forward,” Ontario’s SIU said.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Cole Burston/The Canadian Press/AP
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Patrick Doyle/Reuters
A truck is towed away in front of Ottawa’s Parliament Hill on February 19.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Alex Kent/Getty Images
Police clear downtown Ottawa on February 19.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Alex Kent/Getty Images
A protester’s eyes are washed out after being affected by a chemical irritant fired by police on February 19.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Patrick Doyle/Reuters
People show their support for a trucker as he leaves downtown Ottawa on February 19.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Andrej Ivanov/AFP/Getty Images
A police officer watches as a truck leaves Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, February 18.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Cole Burston/The Canadian Press/AP
Police officers form a line as they push back protesters on February 18.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
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Mounted police move in to disperse protesters on February 18.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Blair Gable/Reuters
A man prepares a truck for towing in Ottawa on February 18.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Cole Burston/The Canadian Press/AP
A man is detained by police as protesters and supporters gather in downtown Ottawa on Thursday, February 17.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
From left, protest leaders Eddie Stewart Cornell, Vincent Gircys and Daniel Bulford attend a news conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, February 16.
a flyer that was being distributed to protesters in Ottawa on February 16. Police said they may arrest anyone blocking streets or assisting someone who is doing so.” class=”gallery-image__dam-img”/>Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press/AP
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Trucks and protesters block downtown streets near Canada’s Parliament on Tuesday, February 15.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press/AP
A truck convoy departs Coutts, Alberta, after blocking the highway at the US border crossing on Tuesday, February 15.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Ted Shaffrey/AP
Truck drivers block traffic outside Canada’s Parliament on Monday, February 14.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty Images
Police gather to clear protesters who blocked the entrance to the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, on Sunday, February 13. The Ambassador Bridge, North America’s busiest land border crossing, reopened Sunday.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
A demonstrator stands atop a truck holding a Canadian flag during a protest outside the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa on February 12.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
A demonstrator lets off a firework during a protest outside Parliament in Ottawa on February 12.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Ted Shaffrey/AP
Truck drivers and others protest Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in Ottawa on February 12.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Tina MacIntyre-Yee/AP
Protesters heading out of and into Niagara Square in Buffalo, New York, honk their horns as they head toward the Peace Bridge on February 12. One holds a bobblehead doll of former President Donald Trump out his window while stopped in traffic.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
A demonstrator shouts during a protest outside Parliament on February 11. Canada’s Ontario province declared a state of emergency over the trucker-led protests paralyzing the capital and blocking trade with the United States.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
A protester wears Canadian flags on her head during a protest outside Parliament on February 11.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press/AP
The Ambassador Bridge closing slowed supplies to US automakers. It also caused major traffic jams, such as this one, which diverted vehicles to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, Michigan, on February 9.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Cole Burston/Getty Images
Supporters wave flags as a convoy of trucks moves through Toronto on February 5.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A protester walks to a demonstration in Vancouver, British Columbia, on February 5.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Counterprotesters gather at Terminal Avenue to block a convoy of protesters in Vancouver on February 5.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Cole Burston/Getty Images
Supporters of the protesters pass by a honking truck near Queen’s Park in Toronto on February 5.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
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A protester holds up a wanted poster of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as protesters gather around Queen’s Park in Toronto on February 5.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Dave Chan/AFP/Getty Images
Trucks parked in downtown Ottawa continue to protest Covid-19 mandates on February 4.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Arindam Shivaani/NurPhoto/Getty Images
A protester requests that police let trucks come close to Queen’s Park during a protest at the park to support the truckers and denounce the government’s vaccination policy.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
David Kawai/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Trucks from the so-called Freedom Convoy block downtown streets during a demonstration in Ottawa on February 3.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Amru Salahuddien/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A protester stands with a Canadian flag in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
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Lines of trucks block the US-Canada border during a demonstration in Coutts, Alberta, on February 2.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Amru Salahuddien/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Truck drivers and supporters protest in Ottawa on January 31.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Alex Kent/Getty Images
A child in Ottawa holds a sign comparing Covid-19 regulations to Nazi Germany on January 30.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Lars Hagberg/AFP/Getty Images
Supporters arrive at Parliament Hill to protest on January 29. Hundreds of truckers drove their giant rigs into the Canadian capital.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Alex Kent/Getty Images
Protesters party as a firework explodes in front of Parliament Hill during a rally in Ottawa on January 29.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Lars Hagberg/AFP/Getty Images
A supporter of the Freedom Convoy protests Covid-19 mandates in Ottawa on January 29.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Alex Kent/Getty Images
A man holds a firework during a protest in Ottawa on January 29.
Photos: Scenes from the Canadian trucker protests
Cole Burston/AFP/Getty Images
Supporters of the truckers gather near a highway overpass outside of Toronto on January 27.
Preliminary information indicates around 5:14 p.m. Saturday, “there was an interaction between a Toronto Police Service officer on a horse and a 49-year-old woman on Rideau Street and Mackenzie Avenue. The woman has a reported serious injury,” the SIU said.
No additional information was released on the circumstances of the injury.
Separately, “At approximately 7:18 p.m. Vancouver Police Department officers discharged Anti-Riot Weapon Enfields (less-lethal firearms) at individuals in the area of Sparks Street and Bank Street. No injuries have been reported at this time,” the agency said Sunday. “The SIU asks anyone who may have been struck by a projectile to contact the unit.”
Protesters and idling trucks have blocked the streets of Ottawa. Some demonstrators have said they won’t budge until Covid-19 mitigation efforts such as mask and vaccination requirements are lifted.
By Sunday morning, Ottawa police said they had arrested at least 191 people.
Tensions escalated Saturday when police used pepper spray to disperse crowds. Protesters outside Wellington Street in front of Parliament were arrested, Ottawa Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said during a news conference.
“We have been here for three weeks. I have been at this podium for the last 5 days, imploring people to leave, asking them to get out of our streets,” Bell said.
“This occupation is over, we have advised them that if they peacefully leave, they may go home,” he said. “We also indicated that we would escalate and forcibly remove people from the streets if they did not comply.”
Stuck in the middle of the standoff are the businesses in downtown Ottawa that have shut their doors due to protests.
“For the past three weeks, many businesses in the downtown core have been unable to operate safely due to serious concerns caused by the blockades, which has resulted in significant financial losses for local businesses,” the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario said in a statement Saturday.
Federal officials said small businesses can apply for up to $10,000 that they wouldn’t have to pay back, the agency said.
The funds, totaling up to $20 million, may only be used for non-deferrable operational costs not covered by other federal programs.
The end of the strife downtown may be nearing as authorities begin to show their presence on foot and on horseback. Along with mounting arrests, about 60 vehicles have towed over the weekend, police said.
Some of those arrests included protesters who allegedly had smoke grenades and fireworks and were wearing body armor, police said.
“Protesters continue to be aggressive and assaultive on officers. They are refusing to comply with the orders to move,” police tweeted midday Saturday. “You will have seen officers use a chemical irritant in an effort to stop the assaultive behavior and for officer safety.”
Officials have vowed to end the protests through unprecedented protocols, including the Emergencies Act. The law allows the Canadian government to tap into military forces, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made it clear troops will not be needed.
Trudeau’s office has also lamented the costs of police forces and supply chain disruptions caused by the protests.
The protests started in late January by a group of truck drivers opposed to a Covid-19 vaccine and testing mandate. But others outside the trucking industry have joined to express their frustration with an array of other Covid-19 health measures – such as requirements to wear masks in schools.
And despite threats of legal consequences, many have showed no signs of backing down.
On Friday, authorities said protesters assaulted officers and tried to remove their weapons. And on Saturday, police alleged a protester threw a gas canister.
“We were slow and methodical, yet you were assaultive and aggressive with officers and the horses. Based on your behavior, we are responding by including helmets and batons for our safety,” police said, addressing the protesters.
Two of the protests’ organizers were arrested and charged this week, authorities said.
Tamara Lich, 49, faces a counseling to commit the offense of mischief charge.
Christopher John Barber, 46, was charged with counseling to commit the offense of mischief, counseling to commit the offense of disobeying a court order, and counseling to commit the offense of obstructing police.
Barber’s attorney, Diane Magas, said her client contested a bail hearing Friday and was released on conditions and a bond.
