Date: Friday, April 29, 2022
Victoria, BC – “Freedom Convoy” protests resulted in $385,947.25 in overtime costs over a 9-week period between January and April of 2022. As these events occurred at the B.C. Legislature, overtime costs have been covered by the province. Regular duty time, including response by on-duty resources across VicPD including Patrol officers and VicPD Traffic officers are not recovered and are not included in this figure.
Officers from the Greater Victoria Public Safety Unit (PSU), as well as VicPD officers and specialized civilian staff, all responded to protests in the B.C. Legislature area over a nearly three-month period working to facilitate an environment for safe, peaceful and lawful protest.
These protest events saw large numbers of vehicles and groups of people gather at the B.C. Legislature daily. Despite declared intentions to occupy the area by members of some protest groups, and significant tensions between protest and counter-protest groups and impacts on nearby businesses and members of the community, there have been no injuries, no significant property damage and no occupation has occurred. Over 50 tickets have been issued under the Motor Vehicle Act, as well as dozens of Notice and Order and four City of Victoria “honking” bylaw citations. There have been three arrests.
“Our continued thanks to James Bay area residents who have born the brunt of the disruptions, including significant traffic disruptions and the unlawful use of vehicle horns, including modified air, ship and train horns mounted to vehicles,” Chief Del Manak said. “Officers continue to respond to dangerous or unlawful acts during protests with de-escalation and enforcement.”
Officers continue to respond to protest events in the B.C. Legislature area.
-30-