Ottawa business owner representatives have admitted they chose to close shop during the Freedom Convoy rather than risk a fine for serving maskless customers.
Representatives speaking at the Emergency Act Inquisition said businesses that stayed open saw increased revenue.
The revelation came as a lawyer questioned two Ottawa Business Improvement Area (BIA) representatives, Kevin McHale and Nathalie Carrier.
“You indicated that previously businesses have never been required to close (during protests),” the questioner began.
“That’s correct,” responded BIA rep McHale.
The questioner continued, “And at this time, they did (close) because this protest was very different from all previous ones.”
“Many chose to close based upon what information or lack of information was provided to them,” McHale clarified.
McHale said businesses on Sparks Street in downtown Ottawa had trouble managing customers who would come in without masks, violating the so-called health measures. Health authorities told the BIA shop owners could be fined for massless customers, he said.
“It was impossible for (businesses) to enforce it,” he said. “It’s quite impossible for a single shop owner to police five or six people.”
McHale also said he isn’t aware of any businesses that were fined.
Shortly after, the BIA reps were questioned by a different lawyer.
“Some businesses chose to remain open and did quite well revenue wise due to the increased foot traffic resulting for the protests. Is that correct,” the questioner asked.
Carrier responded, “Some I think did well, yes.”
After her colleague shook his head at her, Carrier quickly added, “I don’t know. I’m not the best person to answer that question.”
Thousands of freedom demonstrators planted themselves in the nation’s capital for three weeks in February to protest federal COVID-19 restrictions like vaccine mandates. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau eventually invoked the Emergencies Act, granting himself special emergency powers, to forcefully remove the convoy and punish those involved by freezing their bank accounts and crypto wallets.
The Emergency Act Inquisition is a month-long investigation to determine whether Trudeau’s invocation of the act was warranted.
McHale claims the impacts of the convoy continue, and the capitol’s reputation as a place to visit “has been greatly tarnished” and will take years to recover.
