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Trudeau, Ottawa mayor discuss next steps

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson Tuesday afternoon regarding "next steps," as protests continue in Canada's capitol.

"The next steps we need to take together, including the commitment of additional resources, to put an end to the ongoing occupation in Ottawa's downtown core," Watson tweeted regarding the talks.

Watson thanked Trudeau and other leaders for the "constructive discussions."

Watson declared a state of emergency for the City of Ottawa Sunday amid the ongoing demonstrations, as police requested additional resources.

"Declaring a state of emergency reflects the serious danger and threat to the safety and security of residents posed by the ongoing demonstrations and highlights the need for support from other jurisdictions and levels of government," a City of Ottawa statement reads.

Officials demand to know end of vaccine mandate

During the question period in the House of Commons Tuesday, a member of the parliament, Candice Bergen, demanded to know when the Canadian government will end vaccine mandates.

Bergen then received a heated response from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trudeau responded by accusing the conservatives of not "following the science."

Conservatives need to "play less politics," Trudeau said.

Concern grows amid Ambassador Bridge blockade

Demonstrations have recently shutdown traffic along the Ambassador Bridge, one of the busiest international bridge crossings in North America. The massive suspension bridge connects Detroit, Michigan with Canada.

Demonstrations have massed along Huron Church Road, blocking and impacting traffic Monday into Tuesday. The Windsor Police Service (WPS) has a large police presence in the area.

Windsor Police are in communication with demonstration organizers as they continue to balance maintaining public peace with allowing individual rights.

"We want to urge those involved in illegal activity not to endanger members of the public or first responders, including police personnel, and jeopardize public peace," WPS wrote in a statement Tuesday.

"Those found committing crimes and acts of violence will be investigated and charges will be laid. This includes enforcement of traffic related offences and investigating any criminal acts."

More than 40,000 vehicles carrying $323 million worth of goods cross the Windsor-Detroit border each day, according to the Ambassador Bridge website. Lawmakers are raising concerns regarding the blockade's economic implications.

"I've already heard from automakers and food grocers," Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said, according to the Associated Press.

"This is really a serious cause for concern."

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Michigan Department of Transportation Metro Detroit division was still advising drivers use Port Huron, as the bridge to Canada in Detroit remains closed.

WPS reported Northbound traffic was moving along Huron Church Road as of mid-Tuesday afternoon.

Some demonstrators can't leave, blocked in

According to the Ottawa police department, some demonstrators want to leave but cannot due to being blocked in by other protesters' vehicles.

Deputy Chief Steve Bell of Ottawa Police Department told reporters Tuesday that authorities are working to facilitate the departure for demonstrators who want to leave.

It comes just after city contracted tow companies refused to remove hundreds of vehicles from the downtown core area.

Police attacked during protests

Ottawa Police Dept. Deputy Chief Steve Bell told reporters demonstrators attacked police during protests.

Minor injuries have also been reported.

The attacks are just the latest acts by protesters who are demanding city officials to lift vaccine and mask requirements.

According to Chief Bell, a criminal investigation is now open to find suspects who committed the assault on authorities.

"This is unacceptable," Bell said in a press briefing Tuesday.

Kids living inside 25 percent of trucks camped in Ottawa

Ottawa Police say child safety has become a growing concern amid the ongoing demonstrations, as children are "living" inside a quarter of the convoy trucks occupying downtown Ottawa.

Ottawa Police Deputy Chief Steve Bell estimates children are living in 25 percent of the more than 400 trucks encamped in the city.

During a press conference Tuesday, Bell said it "greatly concerns" the department, adding the children "could be at risk during a police operation."

He also cited the risks of exposure to carbon monoxide, fumes, frigid temperatures and access to sanitation.

Ottawa Police are working with the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa (CASO) to ensure the welfare and safety of the children present.

"CASO has a duty to investigate whenever there are allegations of abuse that suggest a child may be in need of protection," the organization wrote in a statement.

"Families are supported to ensure the child's protection and other basic needs are met."

Police are seeking guidance on the situation from CASO. Bell said it's a worrisome component that makes the operation ''even more challenging."

Watch: Ottawa Police update

The Ottawa Police Department will hold a news conference Tuesday afternoon to address the ongoing demonstrations connected to the "Freedom Convoy" in Canada's capital.

The department is investigating more than 60 criminal incidents related to the protests, most notably for hate crimes and property damage. Ottawa Police issued more than 550 tickets since Saturday, most include traffic offenses.

The conference is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m., it will be livestreamed on the Ottawa Police YouTube page, or watch below:

"Freedom Convoy" leader charged with assault

The leader of the "Freedom Convoy" was charged with assault, according to the Alberta police.

While the convoy traveled through Sylvan Lake, Glenn Carritt allegedly approached another driver in a pickup truck and "an altercation ensued," the Alberta Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement.

The police charge Carritt with assault and mischief. Other provincial charges were also laid out, police said.

Tow companies refuse to move protester's vehicles

According to the city's top public servant, the tow truck operators on contract to the City of Ottawa are taking a hard pass on requests to remove vehicles out of protest areas.

"I've contacted them all, and they're all refusing, as of today, to provide heavy tow truck work," city manager Steve Kanellakos told reporters Monday evening.

With more than 400 vehicles parked illegally in the downtown core, city officials face the difficult challenge of getting them off the streets if protesters refuse to drive them away.

"Right now, we're reviewing their contracts or standing offer and reviewing what actions we can take to deal with this unprecedented situation," Kanellakos said.

Canadian leaders push back against GOP

Canada's public safety minister and other Canadian leaders said Monday that U.S. officials should stay out of his country's domestic affairs.

The stark statements from officials come as Canadian leaders push back against prominent Republicans who offered support for the protests of COVID-19 restrictions that have overtaken downtown Ottawa for more than a week.

"Individuals are trying to blockade our economy, our democracy, and our fellow citizens' daily lives," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in an emergency debate in Parliament, while the protest continued outside. "It has to stop."

Convoy raises $6M after GoFundMe shut down

The "Freedom Convoy" has raised over $6 million in donations on a new site after GoFundMe shut down the group's fundraiser on its platform.

The "Freedom Convoy" quickly generated donations as the movement spread across Canada, raising an estimated $9 million dollars on GoFundMe.

GoFundMe removed the "Freedom Convoy" donation page Friday, saying the-now violent nature of the demonstrations violates its terms of service.

"GoFundMe supports peaceful protests and we believe that was the intention of the Freedom Convoy 2022 fundraiser when it was first created," GoFundMe wrote in a statement.

"We now have evidence from law enforcement that the previously peaceful demonstration has become an occupation, with police reports of violence and other unlawful activity."

Originally, GoFundMe said it would withhold donations and refund donors who fill out a request form. GoFundMe is now automatically refunding all donations back to donors.

The "Freedom Convoy" has since re-homed fundraising efforts on GiveSendGo, a Christian crowdfunding platform. More than $6.2 million has been raised as of Tuesday morning, the page lists a $16 million goal.

Fundraiser organizers say their goal is to demand the government "cease all mandates against its people."

"We are asking for donations to help with the costs of fuel first, and hopefully food and lodgings to help ease the pressures of this arduous task," the donation page reads.

GiveSendGo said the "Freedom Convoy" became its largest campaign ever, raising over $4.5 million dollars in less than 24 hours.

"No one should be able to control what you choose to raise money for or donate to!" GiveSendGo tweeted Monday.

In a statement, GiveSendGo said it does not condone violence, stating campaign organizers gave assurance that all funds will support "peaceful" truckers.

"As in any polarized situation, we recognize there will be a few individuals and groups that might intentionally try to incite violence, which will be used to stain this movement by opposing groups," GiveSendGo wrote in a statement.

"We will not broad-stroke those individual situations as a depiction of what this movement represents as if they were affiliated."

Protesters block access to Ambassador Bridge

Protesters in Canada blocked access to the Ambassador Bridge between the U.S. and Canada, demanding that COVID restrictions and vaccine mandates be lifted.

"Freedom Convoy" drivers hindered travel Monday at the Ambassador Bridge that links Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit.
Traffic Canadian bound was still shut down as of Tuesday morning.

"Individuals are trying to blockade our economy, our democracy, and our fellow citizens' daily lives. It has to stop," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday during an emergency parliamentary debate in Ottawa.