Truckers protest Canadian cross-border vaccine mandate

Published by BBNTEAM at January 30, 2022

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Posted: Sunday, January 30, 2022. 10:27 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: The “Freedom Convoy” has held protests against government overreach and specifically a vaccine requirement for cross-border drivers in front of the Canadian Parliament in the capital, Ottawa, according to the Guardian (UK).

Those who spoke to The Guardian called the vaccine “dangerous” and protested continued public health mandates from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, expressing concerns about how it would affect their livelihoods.

Protestors descended on Ottawa from both coasts and across the Dominion, foregoing masks in some cases for balaclavas due to temperatures below freezing. While police were out in force due to alleged violent rhetoric by promoters of the rally on social media there was a little confrontation.

Due to security concerns, Trudeau and his family left their downtown Ottawa home, the CBC reported. His office said it does not comment on security matters. Earlier this week Trudeau said the convoy represented a “small fringe minority” who do not represent the views of Canadians. About 90 percent of Canada’s cross-border truckers and 77 percent of the population have had two Covid vaccination shots.

The Opposition Conservative Party leader, Erin O’Toole, opposes vaccine mandates and expressed support for the protest after holding talks with some of the truckers on Friday. “I support their right to be heard, and I call on Justin Trudeau to meet with these hard-working Canadians to hear their concerns,” O’Toole said after the meeting.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance, which represents some 4,500 carriers, owner-operators and industry suppliers, has opposed the demonstration, saying that “many of the people you see and hear in media reports do not have a connection to the trucking industry,” and urging truckers who are participating to leave after doing so peacefully, despite claims by organizers that they would stay until the mandates are lifted.

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