Ottawa police say they know there will be complaints about a decision to close three Ottawa River bridges Thursday afternoon while demonstrators march on Parliament Hill.
But the measure, while certain to tie up traffic, is necessary to protect public safety as three columns of social activists head toward the hill from Victoria Island, the Canadian War Museum and Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau, a spokesman said.
“It’s a lawful march, and we expect thousands,” added Const. Marc Soucy.
The Chaudière, Portage and Alexandra bridges will be shut down as part of a series of rolling road closures expected between 2 and 4:30 p.m. Police also plan to close Wellington Street in both directions as the marchers move east. And more disruptions are expected as the demonstrators leave Parliament Hill on buses between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
How long each bridge or street will be closed will depend on the number and speed of the marchers.
Police in the past have also shut down streets because of surprise protests, such as demonstrations by Tamils that caused rush-hour havoc in Ottawa in 2009. It was the same year that thousands of Tamils flowed on to Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway to protest violence in Sri Lanka.
“Our main goal is public safety. That’s the foremost priority,” said Soucy. “If something illegal happens, then we deal with that accordingly.”
While complaints were surfacing on social media, Soucy said residents here need to expect disruptions.
“When you live in the national capital, protests will happen.”
