When it comes to protesters blocking a section of westbound Highway 402, it’s time to make good on threats of fines and jail time, says the leader of Ontario’s New Democratic Party.
“Or else people just ignore you and realize that it’s all empty words and no action,” Andrea Horwath said Monday.
“It has to be addressed,” she said.
Horwath, speaking with The Observer by phone while en route between Sarnia and Woodstock Monday as part of a brief Southwestern Ontario tour, said she had recently passed the line of roughly 25 farm and construction vehicles 47 kilometers east of the Blue Water Bridge that has forced westbound Highway 402 closures since last Wednesday.
There may not be the capacity to tow away the vehicles illegally parked on the highway, she said, but fines of up to $100,000 and the threat of as much as a year in jail – penalties noted by Premier Doug Ford Friday when declaring a state of emergency over truck blockades in Ottawa and at border crossings – are at police’s disposal.
“Have any of those folks been ticketed? Have any of those folks been found, per these things that the premier is suggesting are the consequences?” Horwath asked. “Maybe you’ve heard that’s the case. I certainly haven’t.”
Attempts to reach Lambton provincial police for comment Monday were not successful.
Horwath’s stop in Sarnia included a meeting with chamber of commerce officials to talk about the impact of recent “Freedom Convoy” blockades on businesses, including delays in shipments and fines for late deliveries.
“It’s almost insult to injury in terms of how it’s impacting the business community,” said Horwath, adding “we need to get back to working together and not continuing to have these untenable situations.”
Horwath, who called for “recovery support” for auto workers impacted by the recently ended illegal blockade at the Ambassador Bridge during her earlier stop in Windsor, also criticized Ford’s Monday announcement that Ontario’s vaccine passport system will end March 1.
“The only people that benefit are the anti-vaxxers, and that’s why I think that Doug Ford has done it,” she said, also criticizing the timing amid calls from demonstrators for an end to all COVID-19 mandates and restrictions.
Ford said Monday the decision was based on science and made “despite” protesters.
Horwath countered: “it really does seem like Doug Ford’s caving to the anti-vaxxers, and he shouldn’t be rewarding that kind of bad behavior with an acquiescence on the rolling back of the certificate.”
Candidate vetting is underway for the looming June 2 provincial election, she said. Candidates haven’t yet been named for the Sarnia-Lambton or Lambton–Kent–Middlesex ridings.
“The most important thing is we properly vet the candidates, so we know as the party, but also the community knows, that the people that we’re putting forward are worthy of the post,” she said.
NDP leader since 2009, Horwath said she’s looking forward to the campaign, and noted the party has already put out various election plans.
“I’ve got more experience than the other three leaders put together, including Doug Ford,” she said.
“I know this province better than any of the other leaders.”