'You've made your point:' Ottawa mayor urges 'Freedom Convoy' protesters to leave

Ottawa residents are being urged to avoid non-essential travel into the downtown core today, as the demonstration protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other public health restrictions enters a third day.

Hundreds of trucks remained parked on Wellington Street and other roads throughout the downtown core, with residents and businesses expressing frustration with the constant blaring of horns and fireworks at all hours.

Ottawa’s mayor issued a fresh call for the protesters to leave on Monday, saying Ottawa residents have been “more than patient” and the protesters are disturbing residents and harming small businesses.

“I think it’s time for them to move on,” Jim Watson told CTV Morning Live. “The public are completely fed up, as am I. We would love to see them go tomorrow. We think they should have gone yesterday.”Ottawa police acknowledged Sunday evening that it's aware many demonstrators have announced their intentions to stay. Chief Peter Sloly told CTV News Ottawa Sunday evening that officers are communicating with organizers to facilitate the safe departure of vehicles, but it is unclear when the protests will end.

"We're making progress, there's no real clarity yet," said Sloly. "I think the only thing we can say for sure we're still going to be dealing with some level of traffic disruption and demonstration over the next 24 hours."