THUNDER BAY — Ontario Provincial Police officers from Northwestern Ontario have been deployed to Ottawa on a voluntary basis.
They're part of the contingent of OPP from around the province called to help the RCMP and Ottawa police end the occupation of downtown streets by people protesting against public health restrictions related to COVID-19.
Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said an integrated command centre has been set up so OPP and the RCMP can share and assume command over the enforcement necessary to restore public order.
The size of the police contingent has not been disclosed.
A spokesperson for the OPP's Northwest Region said Wednesday that the group from this area includes frontline members, Emergency Response members, command staff, as well as civilian workers.
He said the OPP's priority remains ensuring that communities in the Northwest are looked after first, "and then members are provided the opportunity to volunteer to work a block of shifts in Ottawa."
The OPP's Pilatus aircraft is being used to transfer members to and from the capital.
Ottawa police have served notices to drivers involved in the protest, warning them to leave immediately or risk arrest.
The notices also warn that under the Emergencies Act, they could lose their licenses, and their vehicles could be seized.
Some truckers tore the paperwork, while others honked their horns in response to the notices.
It wasn't immediately clear whether or when police planned to move in to enforce the order.
