This is consistent with earlier police behavior. On Friday night, the Ottawa Police moved in as if ready to forcibly disperse the peaceful protesters, but subsequently backed down.

“Hold the line!” a protester shouted as the police backed away from forcing a confrontation.

The Mayor of Ottawa, meanwhile, has warned that the city is “losing the battle” against mandate protests. As Slate reported:

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said protesters far outnumber police and authorities are “losing this battle” against the demonstrators that have camped out in Canada’s capital for 10 days.

“The situation at this point is completely out of control because the individuals with the protest are calling the shots,” Watson said on a local radio station. “They have far more people than we have police officers.”