Experts estimate businesses in Ottawa’s downtown core lost millions each day in sales and wages during the so-called Freedom Convoy protest, which caused nearly a month of partial and complete closures of businesses.
Retail analysts say total economic damages may range from about $44 million up to $200 million for the 23 days trucks and protesters occupied Centretown streets — from about Jan. 29 until Feb. 20 when police finally moved in to remove them.
“There is no question that the pandemic has impacted the retail industry in a very severe way,” said Shore-Tanner & Associates director of market research Barry Nabatian, prefacing the convoy hurt an already