Following the “slow roll” vehicle convoy through Peterborough last Saturday and another one planned for this Saturday (February 26) — and with the possibility of counter-protests — the Peterborough Police Service has released a “message to our communities.”
The message from acting police chief Tim Farquharson asks residents to approach “differences of opinion” with “kindness and a willingness to understand or accept each other with grace.”
It also asks residents to “reconsider” attending events protesting COVID-19 public health measures, given that most remaining measures are scheduled to be lifted at the beginning of March.
The message also repeats the Peterborough Police Service’s previous statements that police response to such events “is not an endorsement” but instead a “commitment to public safety.”
Farquharson’s message also addresses the application of measures under the recently invoked federal Emergencies Act by local police.
“Our understanding is that it applies to situations and events where critical infrastructure is blocked,” Farquharson states. “We hope that we do not have to apply such measures in our community.”
Farquharson also states that permits around events are covered by a City of Peterborough by-law and that city by-law officers are responsible for determining whether the by-law has been contravened.
The message is repeated in its entirety below.
Message to Our Communities – February 23 2022
The Peterborough Police Service is committed to the safety of the communities we serve. We recognize that our community is being challenged by differences of opinion and we ask residents to continue to approach those differences with kindness and a willingness to understand or accept each other with grace.
We believe this is particularly important as we move forward in the reopening process. Given the lifting of some COVID restrictions last week and additional ones less than a week away, the Service is hopeful that residents will reconsider attending further events around COVID measures. If the restrictions and mandates were truly the concern, then as a community we should be rejoicing in the fact there are promising times right around the corner. We should be asking ourselves what the best way is to support our community and help it mend from the impact of the pandemic.
On March 1, 2022, the Ontario Government has announced that it will:
- Lift capacity limits in all indoor public settings
- Lift proof of vaccination requirements with businesses being allowed to implement them voluntarily
Protective measures that will continue for the time being include:
- Mask/face covering requirements and active/passive screening of patrons
- Public Health Units deploying local and regional responses based on local health indicators
Over the past number of months, Peterborough has seen many groups exercise their right to assemble and protest peacefully. Where this has not happened, charges have been laid.
The officers of the Peterborough Police Service approach each situation based on its own merit and will continue to do so. Throughout this pandemic the Service has been complaint driven and will continue to be. However, these events place significant demands on our service. We ask for patience and support as we work to minimize any disruptions that may arise. To reach out to the service call 705-876-1122 if it is non-emergency, 9-1-1 if it is an emergency or you can report non-emergency incidents online.
Police response to events is not an endorsement and shouldn’t be construed as such. It’s rather our commitment to public safety.
There are a lot of questions around the introduction of the Emergency Measures Act (sic) and when that will apply. Our understanding is that it applies to situations and events where critical infrastructure is blocked. We hope that we do not have to apply such measures in our community.
We have been receiving inquiries about whether permits are required for these situations. The City of Peterborough has a by-law around permitting for events such as parades and has had by-law enforcement officers on hand at recent events assessing whether there has been a contravention of that by-law. The results of those assessments would be released by the City of Peterborough. We thank our City partners for their assistance.
Peterborough Police Members are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of residents during these types of situations that have occurred in recent weeks and months while still answering the regular calls for service. We thank our team for their commitment to our communities.
We also thank the public for your understanding, cooperation, and commitment to that same goal – a safe community for all.
Sincerely,
Tim Farquharson
Acting Chief of Police
Peterborough Police Service
