Vancouver Police sending officers to help in Ottawa

The Vancouver Police Department is sending officers to help with efforts to clear out the occupation in Ottawa, CityNews has learned.

For 21 days, demonstrators have been set up in Ottawa at Parliament Hill, protesting COVID-19 mandates, and there are signs police are ramping up efforts to make a move on the occupation site.

Ottawa Police has publicly signalled that they are “committed to returning your streets back to normal.” And after receiving a request for assistance in Ottawa, the VPD confirmed some if its officers are on the way but it will not disclose how many or what their roles might be.

Related: Police in Ottawa increase presence at Parliament Hill protest site

The VPD is not the only department to provide support. There are reports that Quebec provincial police, for example, will be sending officers as well.

UPDATE: Vancouver Police Department confirms some if its officers are on the way to Ottawa, after receiving request for assistance. Will not disclose how many. Listen for more @CityNewsVAN https://t.co/go1fXHo1yu

— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) February 17, 2022

Surrey RCMP have confirmed that the detachment will not be sending officers to assist in Ottawa, however, they may reconsider, should the situation in the capital escalate.

The Pacific Highway border crossing in Surrey was effectively shut down for almost three days earlier this week, as anti-mandate protesters blocked access. More than a dozen people were arrested.

In Ottawa, two buses filled with police officers made their way to Parliament Hill Thursday morning, after police and equipment were spotted near the airport in the capital.

Police in that city handed out notices to protesters and trucks the day before, warning the Emergencies Act gives them the power to seize vehicles that are part of the three-week-long demonstration and ban people from travelling within a certain area.

Here is the last warning being handed out by police #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/RkbnptEgJm

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) February 17, 2022

Ottawa police released a statement Thursday, saying residents would see a “major increase” in officers on the streets throughout the day and they’ve started to install barriers throughout the downtown.

“All police actions are designed to keep the public and protesters safe while also removing this unlawful protest,” the force said, adding “we continue to advise demonstrators not to enter Ottawa, and to go home.”

Police also said they’ll be working with The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa to ensure the “safety and wellbeing of children and youth” at the demonstration.

More to come