Nearly 200 people arrested as Ottawa police work to clear downtown core

Ottawa police appear to have cleared and regained control of downtown Ottawa. Since the implementation of the Emergencies Act, there have been at least 191 people arrested.

After 24 days of noise and congestion, there is silence in downtown Ottawa. Concrete barriers remain intact and officers continue to comb through the core with very little convoy belongings in sight.

Ottawa’s interim police chief, Steve Bell says, “at this time, 191 people have been arrested, 107 people have been charged and a total of 389 criminal charges have been laid so far.” Ottawa police added that 79 vehicles have been towed and seized.

Ontario’s police watchdog says it’s investigating two incidents stemming from Saturday’s massive enforcement operation to clear protesters from downtown Ottawa.

The special investigative unit says a 49-year old woman reported a serious injury from an interaction involving police moving on horses. The SIU is also looking into an incident involving a discharged firearm. It says no one reported being hurt.

Inside the house of commons, debate continues over the use of the Emergencies Act.

Ottawas police chief did not give a timeline on when police will reopen the secured area downtown.