Ottawa Police Chief Says He Didn’t Request Emergencies Act

RCMP Commissioner said previously her agency also did not advise on or request the measures

Ottawa interim police chief Steve Bell speaks to reporters during a press conference in Ottawa, on Feb. 20, 2022. Cole Burston/The Canadian Press

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) did not request that the federal government invoke the Emergencies Act to deal with the Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa this winter, its interim chief told a House committee on May 17.

“We were involved in conversations with our partners and with the political ministries; we didn’t make a direct request for the Emergencies Act,” said OPS interim chief Steve Bell in responding to a question from Conservative MP Andrew Scheer.