Ottawa is preparing for a new round of protests expected to begin on Canada Day on Friday, and the city's mayor and police chief said they are ready for this.

For his part, Mayor Jim Watson and interim Police Chief Steve Bell said security plans have been made to allow for safe celebrations on Friday despite the threat of protests.

Watson said at a press conference on Monday, "I want to assure everyone that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ottawa Police, Gatineau Police, and the Parliamentary Protective Service are fully ready to respond to any situation."

The city was the scene of several large demonstrations since supporters of the "Freedom Convoy" occupied downtown for three weeks in January and February.

While police have since been able to prevent similar protests in the city, preventing planned demonstrations on Canada Day is likely to be complicated due to the presence of thousands of people celebrating the national holiday.

Watson said, "No group planning to disrupt the celebrations will intimidate us." "We are ready and will not tolerate any illegal activity by anyone."

For his part, Bell said the police are prepared for a number of different scenarios, will quickly respond to any illegal activity, and residents should be reassured.

Meanwhile, the Ottawa Police Services Board approved in late April a request from Bell to appoint up to 831 officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Watson said Ottawa residents and visitors should feel reassured heading to Canada Day celebrations, held at a site west of downtown, and be prepared for delays, street closures, and other travel disruptions.

The city also warned that tickets will be issued for vehicles and they will be towed if parked in no-parking zones, although the full extent of areas to be prohibited has not been determined.

Bell said the police are trying to contact protest organizers.

He added, "We have had the opportunity, through intelligence we have gathered and the reviews we have conducted, to look into and make our contacts with the different people who might come to Ottawa to protest."

Many Ottawa residents remain angry about how the city and police handled the "Freedom Convoy" protests.

Meanwhile, a group calling itself the People's Committee in Ottawa said it plans to submit a final report written by a committee including lawyers and social justice advocates by early next year.

Edited by: Dima Abu Khair