Ontario starts to lift pandemic measures

While the Freedom Convoy protests stretched into their third week, Canada’s most populous province started to relax pandemic restrictions. In two weeks, residents will no longer have to show a vaccination card to enter nonessential businesses. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the government was relaxing restrictions not because of protests but because COVID-19 infections are declining. Most indoor gathering limits will be lifted by March 1. Other provinces already dropped vaccine passport requirements for restaurants, gyms, and businesses.

What’s happening at the protests? On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked emergency powers to restore order. He said “all options,” including using the military, were on the table. About 4,000 more protesters arrived in Ottawa on Sunday, prolonging the weekslong gridlock in downtown as trucks, semis, and cars blocked the streets. Organizers previously said they would remain in the capital until Trudeau revokes vaccine mandates.

Dig deeper: Read Daniel James Devine’s report in The Sift on police in Windsor, Ontario, clearing a blockade at a U.S. border crossing bridge.