Barrie 
Premier Doug Ford along with Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, Attorney General Doug Downey has declared a State of Emergency as of February 11th due to the ongoing Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa and at the Ambassador Bridge, a major trade route between Windsor and Detroit.
Announcing the measures Ford said, “Today, I am using my authority as Premier of Ontario to declare a State of Emergency in our province.”
“And I will convene Cabinet to use legal authorities to urgently enact orders that will make crystal clear it is illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along critical infrastructure.”
He said this will include protecting international border crossings, 400-series highways, airports, ports, bridges, railways and will also the safe and essential movement of ambulatory and medical services, public transit, municipal and provincial roadways, as well as pedestrian walkways.
“Fines for non-compliance will be severe, with a maximum penalty of $100,000 and up to a year imprisonment. We will also provide additional authority to consider taking away the personal and commercial licenses of anyone who doesn’t comply with these orders,” Ford said.
The measures come as the protests continue in Ottawa for two weeks and the blockage at the Ambassador Bridge is on its fifth day.
Premier says the measures are temporary but cautioned that “we have every intention to bring new legislation forward that will make these measures permanent in law.”
