Lack of enforcement in Ottawa 'inexplicable': Blair

The federal government has discussed invoking special emergency powers to deal with ongoing protests in Ottawa, Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair says, calling a lack of enforcement in the nation's capital "inexplicable."

The government's Incident Response Group and cabinet have had "daily" discussions about potential use of the Emergencies Act, Blair said in an interview on Sunday on Rosemary Barton Live. He described the attitude around use of the law, which has never been implemented before, as "appropriate caution" rather than "reticence."

While Blair emphasized it was important to make sure that "the appropriate authorities that are with the provinces are fully utilized," he said the federal government was "prepared to do everything necessary." He did not rule out deployment of the military in some way to help end the occupation.

That's a shift in tone from the position taken by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday, when he said a military deployment is "something to avoid having to do at all costs" while also noting that "all options remain on the table" when discussing blocked border crossings.

While much of the responsibility for law enforcement lies with the provinces, Blair told CBC chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton, the federal government has made it clear that "in any situation where the circumstances exceed the ability or authority of the provinces, we are prepared to step in and do whatever is necessary."

"There is a role for other federal authorities, and we are examining the appropriate use of all of those things," he said, noting the role the Canadian Armed Forces have played in assisting during other crises.

"Enough is enough, this has to come to an end."

The protests in Ottawa against COVID-19 public health measures, including vaccine mandates, have dragged on for more than two weeks — with protesters occupying several blocks in the downtown core around Parliament Hill. Local residents, who have faced blaring horns, diesel fumes and harassment, have become increasingly furious with the police response.

Ottawa police have said they have a plan to end the protests but require additional resources from outside the city. Recently, an integrated command centre was set up in the city, bringing together local police with the Ontario Provincial Police and the RCMP.

Similar protests elsewhere in the country have, aside from an ongoing action near Coutts, Alta. have not become as entrenched as the main truckers convoy that rolled into Ottawa late last month.

A blockade of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont., was dispersed by police earlier Sunday, with 12 arrests.

Blair said the lack of enforcement in Ottawa was "somewhat inexplicable." Blair, who previously served as public safety minister, was also the chief of the Toronto Police Service between 2005 and 2015.

"We need the police to do their jobs, the laws are there." he said.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency in the province on Friday, with his cabinet signing orders giving police new leeway and increasing penalties against protesters.