Armed police officers in Ottawa have begun confiscating fuel from truck drivers protesting Canada's vaccine mandate, following the declaration of a state of emergency over the "worst crisis the city has ever faced."

Jim Watson, the mayor of Canada's capital, declared an emergency following an unprecedented, debilitating 11-day trucker occupation.

Yesterday, lorries blocked Canada's parliament, central bank, and other institutions, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office.

"At this point, the situation is completely out of control," Mr. Watson stated. "The protestors are in control. They have a far larger population than we do."

He urged Prime Minister Trudeau to hire a mediator to bring the occupation to an end. "At the moment, we're at a complete standstill."

The "Freedom Convoy" began as a protest against the law forcing truck drivers to confirm COVID vaccination upon entering Canada from the United States but has expanded into a rallying cry against Mr. Trudeau's pandemic-fighting policies. The liberal leader has declined to meet with representatives of the organizations, which he has referred to as a "fringe minority."

Thousands of demonstrators in cities around the country have been spurred by outrage over his actions.

Late Sunday night, heavily armed police confiscated a tanker truck carrying more than 3,500 liters of diesel fuel from a drivers' staging area, as protesters chanted, "Shame, shame!"

Police warned the public that they could face prosecution if they were supplying fuel to demonstration trucks. The Ottawa Police Department announced that it had opened more than 60 criminal investigations into the protests, including thefts and property destruction.

They claim that a well-organized supply network – a community kitchen and children's bouncy castles – has nourished the demonstrators and could do so for weeks.

The occupation was partially funded by "sympathizers" in the United States, police claimed. Donald Trump and Elon Musk have both lauded the trucks.

According to polling data, most Canadians support public health policies aimed at containing the outbreak.

However, the number of Canadians who want limitations lifted has increased in recent weeks, and the demonstrations have tapped into widespread pandemic fatigue.