'Freedom Convoy' truckers greeted by cheers in Medicine Hat as fundraiser surpasses $4 million
As hundreds of truckers arrived at a truck stop just outside of Medicine Hat Monday, a crowd gathered to show their support for the drivers on their way to Ottawa as part of Freedom Convoy 2022.
The truckers left British Columbia on the weekend on a cross-country journey to protest federal vaccination mandates faced by truckers crossing the border who otherwise face lengthy quarantine periods when they return to Canada.
The same rules are being applied in the United States, but supporters here focused their anger on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“We’re done with the mandates, we’re tired of it, there’re other countries that are moving past it, and I think it’s time here, " said Chris Barber a truck driver in an interview with CTV News.
"People are tired of it (vaccine mandates)," he added. "Canada wants to rally around something, and I think they finally found something to rally around.”
The truckers left British Columbia on the weekend on a cross-country journey to protest federal vaccination mandates faced by truckers crossing the border who otherwise face lengthy quarantine periods when they return to Canada. Here, trucker Chris Barber explains
At the moment 46,000 people have donated more than $4 million to a crowdfunding effort started by a Medicine Hat woman. However, it’s not clear how the money will be distributed to cover fuel cost, food, and lodging of the drivers.
On Tuesday, GoFundMe froze access to the money.
The independent MLA who represents the riding warned of dire economic consequences if the rule isn't changed.
“You know, our supply chain is jeopardized, inflation is through the roof, and Alberta families and communities are hurting, and people are demanding change, so who knows when we’re going to get to the tipping point when our government actually becomes responsive and listen to the people, but this may be it, so I’m grateful for this,” said Drew Barnes Medicine Hat MLA.
The truckers left British Columbia on the weekend on a cross-country journey to protest federal vaccination mandates faced by truckers crossing the border who otherwise face lengthy quarantine periods when they return to Canada.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance, which represents carriers and suppliers, condemned the protests, saying such demonstrations aren’t an effective way of resisting the policy.
“I’m watching our freedoms being taken away every day, and I just want them to have the choice” added another supporter.
With files by Jayden Wasney
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.