Permanent surveillance of the Pontiac bridges by the Ontario Provincial Police

Permanent surveillance of the Pontiac bridges by the Ontario Provincial Police

The traffic controls installed by the Ontario Provincial Police have caused several frustrations to some residents of the Pontiac, used to shopping in the Pembroke area. CHIP 101.9 spoke to David Gillespie, a farmer from L’Isle-aux-Allumettes, who went through traffic controls to go to a store specializing in agriculture.

“They asked me what I was going to do, when I told them it was for my farm, they let me pass. On the other hand, they recommend showing our card from the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA), ”explained David Gillespie.

Here are the reasons described as essential displacement:
– Residence or work in Ontario
– Reasons related to health care
– First Nations Treaty Rights
– Matters relating to the care or custody of children
– Transport of goods
– Passage through Ontario en route to another destination

The Ontario Provincial Police have been providing road checks at the bridges located in Portage-du-Fort and L’Isle-aux-Allumettes continuously since last Monday. As for the Sûreté du Québec, their presence will be similar to what happened last year, a random presence at the entrance to the Pontiac bridges as well as an increased presence on the road.

The full interview with David Gillespie is available here.