Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency on Friday in response to a protest by truckers that has largely shut down Canada's capital, Ottawa.

The protest, dubbed the "Freedom Convoy," is against vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions for truckers who travel between the US and Canada.

Ford threatened to impose fines, seize licenses, and even throw protestors in jail. He said he will convene his Cabinet and use his legal authority to urgently enact orders.

On Monday, protestors began blocking the Ambassador Bridge, one of the busiest crossings between the US and Canada. The bridge is crucial to the flow of auto parts and other goods, accounting for about 25 percent of the trade between the countries each year.

Ford and other leaders have been under increasing pressure to end the gridlock, both from people in Ottawa and officials in the US.

The protests have spread to other countries, including France and New Zealand. Truckers in the US say they are planning demonstrations of their own.