Canada's Trudeau vows to end 'freedom convoy' protest

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On January 22, a mass protest in Canada's capital of Ottawa began against vaccine mandates. Today the Prime Minister has vowed to bring that protest to an end. 

Trudeau frustratedly declared that "it has to stop."

Melanie Joly, Trudeau's foreign minister said that while the truckers have a "right to express themselves," police will not accept a protracted "occupation" of the city, assuring reporters the matter would be "dealt with." 

Trudeau expressed that the pandemic has "sucked for all Canadians," adding that Canadians have continued to listen to science and lean on each other, promising federal assistance to provincial governments.

Demonstrators waving Canadian flags and chanting anti-Trudeau chants have already taken to the streets of Ottawa, prompting federal police to respond. Protesters said they would continue their protest "until the end," meaning until all pandemic restrictions were lifted.

Although more than 80% of Canadians aged five and above are completely immunized against COVID-19, protesters have repeatedly expressed their opinion that vaccinations are a private medical decision and do not concern the government.

A judge had ordered the loud constant honking to halt on Monday, so protesters have resorted to revving the engines of their trucks instead.

Although vaccine regulations for travelers are set by the federal government, most mandates are provincial decisions. 

Only Saskatchewan thus far has indicated that all pandemic restrictions would be lifted in the near future. Other provinces have begun to relax their standards as hospitalizations are in the decline. 

Police reinforcements

According to Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, Canada's federal police have approved the City of Ottawa's request for additional officers to quell the anti-government protest that has engulfed the nation's capital for over a week.

"I can confirm that the [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] RCMP has received and approved a request for additional officers," Mendicino said during an emergency debate on the situation on Monday.

Over 275 officers are already available to the Ottawa Police Service, according to Mendicino. The city of Ottawa's municipal police, who have been chastised for their handling of the protest, is backed up by 1,500 Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers, with a daily average of 135 to 200 officers.