Ottawa' emergency services manager is expected to take the stand for the third day in a row in the criminal trial of two 'Freedom Convoy' organizers. Kim Ayotte, General Manager of Emergency and Protective Services at the City of Ottawa, arrives at the courthouse in Ottawa where he will appear as a witness at the trial of "Freedom Convoy" organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Ottawa’s emergency services manager is expected to take the stand for a third day in the criminal trial of two “Freedom Convoy” organizers.
Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are co-accused for their role in the protest that blocked city streets around Parliament Hill and nearby residential areas.
Kim Ayotte oversees city bylaw enforcement, paramedic and fire services and the department responsible for special events.
Earlier this week he testified about some of the traffic, noise and other disruptions he witnessed during the protest.
He also talked about working with Barber on a deal between protest organizers and the city to move trucks out of residential neighbourhoods.
That plan ultimately failed after an incident involving police, but Ayotte says he was given only limited information as to what happened.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 21, 2023.
