The Ontario government is introducing new legislation aimed at preventing illegal blockades by giving law enforcement additional tools to deal with protests it deems are illegal..The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), an organization that advocates and defends the rights and freedoms of Canadians, said it has concerns with Ford’s legislation..Under the new legislation — spurred by the week-long blockade of Windsor’s Ambassador Bridge in February — law enforcement would be permitted to suspend vehicle permits and seize licence plates..Police would also be permitted to seize objects used to create a blockade, but will only apply to international border crossings, such as bridge corridors or airports. .“CCLA is concerned about the potential breadth of this legislation and how it may impact fundamental rights to peacefully assemble for the purposes of protesting and effecting change,” Cara Faith, a director with CCLA, told the Western Standard..“The prohibition set out in the Act could be interpreted quite broadly and might be used to, for example, hinder labour strikes and pickets. We also note that the Bill would allow for licenses and permits to be suspended or seized with little or no due process.”.“These are serious consequences; they should not be undertaken lightly and should include procedural protections for those impacted.”.Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in a Monday press release his government will do all it can to grow the province while working to prevent any future blockades..“Ontario is a strong, reliable trading partner, and we are signalling to the world that we continue to be open for business,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in a Monday press release..“We will do everything in our power to protect our workers, job creators and international trade relationships from any future attempts to block our borders.” .The Ontario government declared a state of emergency on February 11 in response to the truckers’ protest in which his government was given special, but temporary powers to deal with the blockades and freedom protesters..“While these emergency orders will be temporary, we have every intention to bring new legislation forward that will make these measures permanent in law,” said Ford..“This will not impede the rights of Ontarians to peacefully protest, it will provide additional tools to help stop the illegal occupation of Ottawa and the Ambassador bridge in Windsor.”.Solicitor General Sylvia Jones told reporters on Monday in Mississauga when the Ambassador Bridge was blocked, “supply chains were seriously disrupted, manufacturing facilities closed and employees sent home because parts were not arriving on time.”.“Ontario’s reputation as a reliable place to invest took a hit, which caught the attention of the president of the United States at an important time in our trading relationship.”.To support the new enforcement measures, the Ontario government said it will commit nearly $96 million to enhanced training of Ontario police and provincial officers and to purchase equipment such as heavy tow trucks..Jones said the act was designed with a narrow scope and will “have no impact on the right to peaceful lawful and temporary protests…”.“Our goal is to keep Ontario open for business,” she said..Truckers participating in the Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa blocked off areas near the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor — a vital supply route linking Windsor to Detroit — for close to a week in early February..Within days of the blockade forming, an Ontario judge issued an injunction ordering the removal of those participating in a blockade of the bridge..Calgary lawyer James Kitchen was asked to represent the Windsor group. Kitchen said the Charter of Rights and Freedoms gives the protesters the right to be there and said they were willing to end the full blockade and only close down one lane..“These guys have a right to be there. They should be allowed to impede traffic a bit and occupy one lane,” Kitchen said..Kitchen agreed the blockade caused economic chaos, but added “the concern about auto workers not able to work because of the protests disruption to the flow of goods should be equally applied to truckers, health care workers, and civil servants who aren’t able to work because they didn’t take an ineffective vaccine.”.Businesses on both sides of the border were hit hard economically by the blockade..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
