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Day 6 of Public Hearings, October 20, 2022 Public Inquiry for the Invocation of the Emergencies Act

Tia Riley

Patricia Ferguson, Acting Deputy Chief of Ottawa Police Service testified that tow trucks were already on their way to assist in the clearing of downtown Ottawa prior to the invocation of the Emergencies Act.

Ferguson said of the Act invocation that it “greased the wheels” for the police to move the protesters out and that it gave law enforcement more “confidence” to do their jobs but that Ottawa police had tow truck drivers already on their way.

ACTING DEPUTY CHIEF PATRICIA FERGUSON, Sworn:
Examination in-Chief by Mr. Frank Au
Cross-Examination by Mr. Christopher Diana
Cross-Examination by Ms. Rebecca Jones
Cross-Examination by Mr. Brendan Miller
Cross-Examination by Ms. Anne Tardif
Cross-Examination by Mr. Paul Champ
Cross-Examination by Ms. Caroline Laverdière
Cross-Examination by Mr. Rob Kittredge
Cross-Examination by Ms. Jessica Barrow

On the Integrated Planning Team: Patricia Ferguson said she doesn’t believe former chief Peter Sloly wanted help from the Ontario Provincial Police to deal with the Freedom Convoy.

Patricia Ferguson, Acting Deputy Chief says Ottawa police told city officials that those driving heavy trucks had a Charter right to protest in the downtown area based on “decades of past experience in managing events, and that we have allowed it in the past, and we were going to again in this case”.

Patricia Ferguson testifies at the Public Inquiry that they were receiving fluctuating numbers on the number of large trucks coming to Ottawa, and that there was no contingency plan for long-term protests.

Acting Deputy Chief Patricia Ferguson testifies that the Emergencies Act wasn’t necessary during the convoy in Ottawa, she said that “We were moving in there regardless, but the Emergencies Act was helpful”.

Patricia Ferguson, Acting Deputy Chief of the Ottawa Police Service said the threat of seizing bank accounts and assets under the Emergencies Act was “useful but necessary” and the EA saved in time the swearing in of new officers by “probably hours”.

Acting Deputy Chief of Ottawa Police Services Patricia Ferguson testifies on the necessity of the Emergencies Act:

“Useful, but not necessary.”

SUPT. CRAIG ABRAMS, Sworn: 200
Examination in-Chief by Mr. Eric Brousseau

Craig Abrams OPP testifies how OPS planned to allow Convoy vehicles and where they were to park in downtown Ottawa. They did not know how many vehicles were arriving, but knew that there could be a large number and that they may stay for “multiple days”.

OPS allowed Freedom Convoy protestors into downtown Ottawa, but Craig Abrams OPP, testifies how OPS did not have a “Plan B” or “contingency plan” if the protestors stayed longer than a couple of days.

Craig Abrams OPP testifies that he did not agree with Chief Sloly that there may not a policing solution on developing an exit strategy because he did not see that “all of the tools have been used” and that he has seen “nothing but success through our PLT (Provincial Team Liaison) team” and negotiation.

Craig Abrams OPP testifies on Chief Sloly’s plan to arrest protestors with gas cans “I did not agree” “he is describing snatch and grabs off the street” “I am not directing my OPP, until I am certain the crown attorney supports it” “I don’t want them involved in illegal arrests”.

Craig Abrams OPP on the Convoy to Ottawa: “Overall we had no assaults, no criminality, I was not aware of any charges being laid, they said what they would do, they kept to one lane, they entered the city of Ottawa in an orderly fashion, they didn’t damage any highways.

“They didn’t need the Emergency Act.” Ontario Provincial Police Supt. Craig Abrams highlights his briefing with OPP members in Ottawa after the invocation of the Emergencies Act. “Essentially a 14-15 hour ride program.”

OPP Superintendent Abrams, on OPS taking down fuel operations at Coventry: Based on what I’m seeing and what I’ve just heard, you will never see OPP support for any operation tonight or tomorrow, based on what I’m reading. Literally it [the operation] was two lines on a page.

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