The Freedom Convoy Cost Ottawa Over $36 Million & The City Wants The Feds To Fork Out

The freedom convoy protest cost the City of Ottawa around $36.3 million in police expenses and more — and now the capital is looking for federal aid to help cover it.

According to Ottawa City Councillor Theresa Kavanagh, the costs were mostly related to the increased police presence and operations in the city throughout the protests.

Around $35 million went toward the Ottawa Police Service and RCMP in the city, with the money paying for things like compensation, vehicle expenses, food, accommodations and "operational supplies."

The rest of the city's response cost around $1.3 million, which includes bylaw and public works operations but excludes infrastructure damage and repair costs, as those are still under review.

Per CTV News, City Manager Steve Kanellakos told city councillors in a memo that "city staff and OPS staff are communicating with senior officials at the federal and provincial governments to recover these costs and will make a formal submission for reimbursement of all costs associated with the response."

He added that "they certainly are expecting that we would be submitting the cost of both the federal and provincial, and what I was told is they would work out what an appropriate cost-sharing agreement is to fund us."

The largest of Canada's freedom convoy protests occupied downtown Ottawa from January 28 to February 21, 2022.

It was a demonstration whose supporters included those who were against mandatory vaccines, lockdowns and other government-enforced COVID-19 restrictions.

Protestors gained national attention for their constant horn blaring as well as alleged vandalism of several national monuments.

The downtown Ottawa and Ambassador Bridge demonstrations were eventually brought to an end after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act to aid in the official response.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.