“Freedom Convoy” protest against vaccine mandate targeted at truckers enters second week in Ottawa

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story stated that the protestors have been the subject of mass criticism for hateful and illegal behaviour. We have since edited this statement to clarify that not all protestors engaged in such behaviour.

The protest has been the subject of mass criticism for certain acts of hateful and illegal behaviour

It has now been over a week since a convoy of truck drivers and their supporters arrived in Ottawa to oppose the public health mandates put in place to combat the spread of COVID-19. However, there are still no signs of the situation letting up any time soon.

According to CTV News, recent tensions began when a new vaccine mandate was implemented in early January that applies directly to Canadian truckers. Upon arriving at the national border, truckers who are not fully vaccinated must show proof of a negative PCR test collected within 72 hours of their arrival. After they are cleared to cross the border, the truckers are then required to quarantine for 10 days. Those who do not comply with the mandate are allowed through the border, but may face enforcement action or fines.

As a result of the mandate, the Canadian Trucking Alliance says that it expects to lose as much as 10 to 15 per cent of cross-border drivers, whose numbers have already been negatively impacted by the current labour shortage in the trucking industry.

As a response to the mandate, truckers from across the country formed the “Freedom Convoy” and drove their rigs to Ottawa in protest. The CBC reports that there were over 100 trucks and about 550 vehicles total present when the convoy arrived at the country’s capital on Jan. 28.

Since the convoy’s arrival, Ottawa police have reported issues with traffic, noise, and safety within the city. According to event organizers, roads and nearby borders have been blocked off by protestors in order to create a “logistics nightmare” to pressure the federal government to lift the mandate. Residents have been asked by police to avoid the downtown area where protestors have gathered, and some of the local stores have temporarily closed.

This has prompted mass criticism from many Canadians, especially as 90 per cent of cross-border truck drivers are vaccinated and would not be subject to the mandate.

Another aspect of the movement that has been heavily criticized is the behaviour of some of the protestors.  In recent days the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was desecrated, homeless shelter staff were harassed for food, and a Terry Fox statue was appropriated.

What’s more is that the protest has become an opportunity for some people to spout racism and antisemitism.

Swastikas have been repeatedly reported by eyewitnesses, as have signs comparing vaccine mandates to fascim. During one instance, a confederate flag was also seen among the crowd of protestors. CNN states that Ottawa has responded by establishing a hotline for residents to report hate-related crimes.

Political responses regarding the convoy have been mixed. However, the federal government has made it clear that it will not be giving in to the protestors’ demands.

“I want to be very clear: We are not intimidated by those who hurl insults and abuse at small business workers and steal food from the homeless,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the CNN article. “We won’t give in to those who fly racist flags. We won’t cave to those who engage in vandalism or dishonor the memory of our veterans.”

Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen called on the Liberal party to make an offer of reconciliation to the Freedom Convoy demonstrators. “I think [an olive branch] is what Canadians are looking for. The government doesn’t have to agree . . . but they need to provide a solution,” Bergen said.

As of yet, there has been little progress in easing the convoy’s blockades, including those in Ottawa and elsewhere in Canada. While one lane of traffic was opened up at a roadblock in Coutts, Alberta, protestors have since moved to cut off traffic from the Coutts border crossing.

Despite all of this commotion, as of Feb. 1 no changes in cross-border traffic have been noted in relation to the mandate. Ottawa police are currently negotiating with protestors, and while military intervention was briefly considered, Trudeau said that it isn’t “in the cards” at this point in time.

This is a developing story with more information to come.

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