The latest on protests against COVID-19 measures in Ottawa and beyond

OTTAWA — The latest developments on ongoing protests against COVID-19 restrictions and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, in Ottawa and various locations across Canada, on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. All times eastern:

10 a.m.

Ottawa’s largest shopping mall confirmed it would reopen today for the first time in more than three weeks. 

The Rideau Centre shut down when a convoy of protesters first rolled into the capital at the end of January, calling the situation downtown “untenable.” 

Now that police have declared downtown safe for business to resume, the mall intends to open as normal today. 

———

9:45 a.m.  

Tamara Lich, one of the leading organizers behind protests against COVID-19 restrictions and the Liberal government near Parliament Hill, has been denied bail.

An Ontario court judge issued the decision in Ottawa this morning, saying she believed there was a substantial likelihood Lich would reoffend if released.

Justice Julie Bourgeois says the convoy’s effect on the community was immense and she felt Lich was obstinate and disingenuous in her responses to the court during her bail hearing on Saturday.

A separate bail hearing is scheduled this morning for fellow protest organizer Patrick King, who is known for promoting racist conspiracy theories online.

———

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 22, 2022.

The Canadian Press