Ontario Premier Doug Ford declares state of emergency to remove illegal blockades

Demonstrators in Toronto, Ontario.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has declared a state of emergency and will immediately impose measures to remove illegal blockades. Penalties will include fines up to $100,000 and up to one year in prison.

Ford said what is happening in Ottawa is a siege, and illegal occupation, and is not a protest.

The new measures will clear and protect international border crossings along with 400-series highways, airports, ports, bridges, and railways.

The blockades in Ottawa will also be removed.

Ford cited the goods not able to cross the border and the numerous threats and violence occurring at protests sites in Ontario.

Money for the convoy has been flooding in mainly from the United States.

The Ottawa 911 service was overwhelmed with false calls tying up lines. Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly said the majority of calls came from the United States.

Ottawa Police have responded to nearly 1000 calls for service in relation to the demonstrations since they began. There have been 25 arrests in relation to criminal charges. Bylaw and Police Services have issued more than 1,550 tickets.

The United States government has offered help to end the blockades at the border.

At the same time, the federal government is sending more RCMP officers to Ottawa, Windsor, and Coutts.

GM, Toyota, Ford, and Honda have halted production due to the blockades.