Authorities and police in Ottawa are preparing for a demonstration this weekend, a year after the city was besieged by the Freedom Convoy.
Demonstrators were already present in the federal capital on Friday, chanting “Freedom” and waving Canadian flags.
A group has also received a permit to demonstrate near Parliament until 9.30pm on Saturday.
Some elected officials fear the rally will continue after that time, and local residents fear crowds will erupt onto the streets near Parliament Hill.
The police are present in large numbers and will be on site throughout the weekend.
“We are very comforted by our security forces and the Ottawa Police Department who have done everything they can to ensure things don’t spiral out of control like they did last year,” said Steven Mackinnon, Liberal MP for Gatineau and Prime Minister.
This weekend’s demonstrations are unlikely to be as large as last year, according to Michel Juneau-Katsuya, a former agent with Canada’s security intelligence agency.
“There’s no sign of heavyweights heading to the capital, and as far as protests go, this isn’t Ottawa’s first rodeo,” he said.
Exceptional parking restrictions are in place in downtown Ottawa, and the city government says it will not hesitate to tow certain vehicles.
If some tourist visits have been canceled in the coming days, not all visitors are concerned.
“I can imagine that people are prepared,” said one of them when he was received by TVA Nouvelles.
“Freedom as they say, but I don’t think they will have enough energy for a big protest,” another tourist predicted to the demonstrators.