OTTAWA - The Parliamentary Protective Service expects 500 people to gather this weekend to mark a year since the “Freedom Convoy” occupied downtown Ottawa.

The agency, which polices the precinct, said it will curtail some access to Parliament Hill.

The public can still use the central and east gates to access the Hill lawn, but not the gates closest to the West Block, where the Liberals are holding their caucus meeting this weekend.

The protective service said public tours have been cancelled.

The Ottawa police say they don't have an estimate for demonstrators expected on city streets.

The protective service also said Ottawa police will enforce the closure of Wellington Street, in front of Parliament Hill, to traffic.

In its own news release Thursday, the City of Ottawa said police might implement “temporary closures to manage large volumes of traffic, if necessary.”

The city said that “drivers should anticipate delays in the downtown core,” adding Friday that parking had been restricted across the downtown core.

Meanwhile, bylaw officers will guard against “flagrant violation of municipal regulations,” the city said, particularly “regarding parking, noise, litter and fireworks.” Ottawa allows fireworks only on the days surrounding Canada Day and Victoria Day.

“The City values a diversity of minds, perspectives and lived experiences and denounces any displays of hate and racism,” the municipality noted.

OC Transpo says it plans to maintain regular transit service in the capital.

Ottawa city council voted this week to reopen Wellington Street to cars as soon as March, after a yearlong closure.

Large trucks occupied the street for weeks last year, and were only removed after the Liberal government invoked the Emergencies Act.

Demonstrators came with a range of grievances, with many focused on COVID-19 health measures while others espoused conspiracy theories and displayed images related to far-right extremism.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 27, 2023.