The City of Toronto says it is investigating after social media video surfaced showing a snowplow allegedly driving through a group of pro-Palestinian protesters outside the U.S. Consulate Nov. 18.
In the video, an orange snowplow can be seen driving on the sidewalk where protesters are standing. The vehicle, with a shovel on the front, moves through the crowd and continues onto the next sidewalk. Officers are seen in the video stopping the vehicle. The female driver gets out of the snowplow and talks to police for a short time, then returns to the plow and drives away.
The Toronto Police Service said it has reviewed the incident and does not believe there was any criminal intent. It said no injuries were reported and no arrests have been made.
After watching the video, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she asked the City to investigate.
“Thank goodness no one was hurt,” she said when asked about the incident at a Nov. 20 news conference.
“Upon looking at that video, I have asked the City of Toronto to investigate what has happened because this person obviously is driving an instrument that is supposed to work for the City of Toronto. It is probably a private contractor.”
She said the transportation department was looking into it.
Russell Baker, director of Media Relations and Issues Management with the City of Toronto, said in a statement the department was aware of the incident.
“The plow, which is under contract to the City and was driven by a contractor, was conducting a dry run ahead of the winter season,” Baker said.
“The behaviour displayed is completely unacceptable and falls short of the standards we expect from contractors operating on behalf of the City of Toronto.”
He added the conduct did not reflect the City’s values or expectations.
“We have launched an immediate and comprehensive investigation and will ensure steps are taken to help prevent anything like this from happening again.”
Chow said the next steps depended on the results of the investigation.
“If they find that it’s dangerous then the City may refer to the police for their review or they could speak to the contractor, they could look at the contract, or they might not do any of the above. It really depends on the review so I don’t want to comment on what would be the potential result,” she told reporters.
