House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota was so alarmed by the Freedom Convoy that he had armed Parliament Hill police stand guard outside his Ottawa residence at night while he slept, records show. .The extraordinary security measure is detailed in staff emails by the Parliamentary Protective Service, the Hill police branch that operates under RCMP supervision. Armed constables were assigned to guard Rota even after cabinet invoked the Emergencies [War Measures] Act last February 14..“Parliamentary Protective Service deployed at Speaker Rota secondary residence,” read an 8:08 am staff email that day. A 6:51 pm update stated: “Parliamentary Protective Service will remain deployed at Speaker Rota secondary residence overnight.”.According to Blacklock's Reporter, Rota’s office did not explain which “secondary residence” was under guard..“For security reasons detailed information about operational security is not shared publicly,” said Amelie Crosson, spokesperson for Rota..The Speaker has an official residence maintained by the National Capital Commission, a four-acre farmstead 20-km from Ottawa at Chelsea, Que., and an apartment in the Parliament building. Parliament was already surrounded by 50 RCMP officers at the time. Authorities would not say if police guards were posted outside a private condo or some other property..Speaker Rota did not explain whether he sought any parliamentary approval for the armed guards. The RCMP that day, February 14, had assigned 532 additional officers to assist Ottawa Police..Police memos at the time stressed there was little danger in the area. “Minimal people on Parliament Hill,” read a February 14 security email. “Approximately 200 trucks parked side by side on Wellington Street.”.Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson testified Tuesday at the Public Order Emergency Commission federal authorities reassigned dozens of Mounties to personal security details instead of street patrols..“It was a bit frustrating,” testified Watson..The mayor said while cabinet claimed to have assigned hundreds of Mounties to keep the peace “they assigned 50 to West Block,” the Commons chamber; “50 to Rideau Cottage,” the prime minister’s home; “and 50 to Rideau Hall,” the official residence of the governor general..“Those individuals were stationed at West Block, Rideau Cottage and Rideau Hall,” said Watson. “They were not helping Centretown or the residential areas.”.No firearms or bombs were found in Freedom Convoy trucks outside Parliament..Protest organizers said their demonstration was peaceful..“We are here out of love for our families, our communities and our nation,” organizer Tamara Lich of Calgary told reporters February 3..Protesters were “peace-loving and law-abiding citizens from all walks of life,” she said..Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said February 7 he considered the protesters to be angry and violent..“Many residents have been effectively held hostage in their own city, blockaded by an angry, loud, intolerant and violent crowd,” said Mendicino..“While everyone believes in the right to free speech, this convoy has crossed the line.”
House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota was so alarmed by the Freedom Convoy that he had armed Parliament Hill police stand guard outside his Ottawa residence at night while he slept, records show. .The extraordinary security measure is detailed in staff emails by the Parliamentary Protective Service, the Hill police branch that operates under RCMP supervision. Armed constables were assigned to guard Rota even after cabinet invoked the Emergencies [War Measures] Act last February 14..“Parliamentary Protective Service deployed at Speaker Rota secondary residence,” read an 8:08 am staff email that day. A 6:51 pm update stated: “Parliamentary Protective Service will remain deployed at Speaker Rota secondary residence overnight.”.According to Blacklock's Reporter, Rota’s office did not explain which “secondary residence” was under guard..“For security reasons detailed information about operational security is not shared publicly,” said Amelie Crosson, spokesperson for Rota..The Speaker has an official residence maintained by the National Capital Commission, a four-acre farmstead 20-km from Ottawa at Chelsea, Que., and an apartment in the Parliament building. Parliament was already surrounded by 50 RCMP officers at the time. Authorities would not say if police guards were posted outside a private condo or some other property..Speaker Rota did not explain whether he sought any parliamentary approval for the armed guards. The RCMP that day, February 14, had assigned 532 additional officers to assist Ottawa Police..Police memos at the time stressed there was little danger in the area. “Minimal people on Parliament Hill,” read a February 14 security email. “Approximately 200 trucks parked side by side on Wellington Street.”.Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson testified Tuesday at the Public Order Emergency Commission federal authorities reassigned dozens of Mounties to personal security details instead of street patrols..“It was a bit frustrating,” testified Watson..The mayor said while cabinet claimed to have assigned hundreds of Mounties to keep the peace “they assigned 50 to West Block,” the Commons chamber; “50 to Rideau Cottage,” the prime minister’s home; “and 50 to Rideau Hall,” the official residence of the governor general..“Those individuals were stationed at West Block, Rideau Cottage and Rideau Hall,” said Watson. “They were not helping Centretown or the residential areas.”.No firearms or bombs were found in Freedom Convoy trucks outside Parliament..Protest organizers said their demonstration was peaceful..“We are here out of love for our families, our communities and our nation,” organizer Tamara Lich of Calgary told reporters February 3..Protesters were “peace-loving and law-abiding citizens from all walks of life,” she said..Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said February 7 he considered the protesters to be angry and violent..“Many residents have been effectively held hostage in their own city, blockaded by an angry, loud, intolerant and violent crowd,” said Mendicino..“While everyone believes in the right to free speech, this convoy has crossed the line.”
