Supt. Robert Bernier noted multiple moments throughout the first weeks of convoy protests where Sloly directly interfered in operations planning
Sloly is slated to testify at the commission on Friday. The inquiry is mandated with establishing if the federal government met the legal requirements to invoke the Emergencies Act on Feb. 14 during Freedom Convoy protests.
He said his superior deputy chief Patricia Ferguson approved his request and appointed another superintendent to be a liaison between Bernier and OPS top brass. She also granted his demand that he be given back control over OPS’ messaging. Bernier was added to Ontario Provincial Police intelligence conference calls and reports on Jan. 27, two days before the convoy arrived in Ottawa. At that point, Hendon reports already warned the convoy was likely planning on staying “long term”, meanings weeks or even one month.
The same day, Bernier went to his superintendent and warned of a “bizarre disconnect” between the information reported in the Hendon reports and the OPS’ preparations for the protests.Article contentUltimately, he said he left the planning to the appropriate teams and stayed “in his lane.” But documents state he was concerned when the next day, he received the OPS’ first plan to deal with the convoy — which was already arriving in town — was “a mere traffic plan.