The term “insurrection” has gotten an unprecedented amount of use ever since the events that unfolded at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.

It evokes fear of societal instability and conveys a mental image of a rowdy crowd that is hellbent on upheaval.

So, it may come as some surprise that Canadian officials have begun characterizing the peaceful and polite Freedom Convoy that has inspired Canadians from all walks of life to oppose their government’s COVID-19 vaccinations mandate as a “nation-wide insurrection.”

Diane Deans, chair of Ottawa’s police board, referred to the coalition of truckers protesting the vaccine mandate in Canada’s capital as a “threat to our democracy.”

“What we’re seeing is bigger than just a City of Ottawa problem,” she continued, “This is a nation-wide insurrection. This is madness. We need a concrete plan to put an end to this.”

Peter Sloly, the Ottawa police chief, described the Freedom Convoy’s presence in Canada’s capital city as “mindboggling” and an “occupation.”

Police chief Sloly announced on Friday that the police of Ottawa were launching a “surge and contain” strategy to put an end to the peaceful demonstration.

Diana Deans suggested that the government begin to coerce dispersion of the Freedom Convoy. She asked city officials if they would be willing to declare the peacefully assembled truckers “unlawful” and subsequently a “riot” so that the government may begin making mass arrests or pursue a court injunction against the Freedom Convoy.