'People are fed up': convoy of trucks converges on Ottawa as police prepare for thousands on Parliament Hill
A convoy of hundreds of fed-up Canadian truckers are driving cross-country, heading for the nation’s capital to deliver a message that's raising millions of dollars from donors around the world.
The ‘Freedom Convoy 2022’ movement is pushing for an end to a cross border vaccine mandate implemented by both the federal government and the U.S. administration.
Organizers say it is also calling for the end of all mandates for the vaccine.
“This is about mandating freedom,” said organizer Tamara Lich in a Facebook video.
“This is about making sure our children and our grandchildren live in a free country.”
A crowd-funding campaign has raised nearly $6 million in funds from around the globe, with close to $1 million being raised daily.
‘Families for Choice,’ a Calgary-based group advocating for families to choose whether to vaccinate their children or not contributed $3,000 to the event.
“We’re two years into this thing, and people are fed up,” said co-founder Cathryn Carruthers.
“They (the truckers) are representing all of us they are giving us a voice and they are taking direct action, something tangible that everybody can get behind, (and) we were absolutely thrilled to get behind that.”
The group started with five mothers in October 2021, with its membership exploding to more than 20,000 families since.
A crowd-funding campaign has raised nearly $6 million in funds from around the globe, with close to $1 million being raised daily.
EROSION OF TRUST
One political scientist says this protest has become bigger than just an anti-vaccine mandate for truckers.
“I do think this is like a prairie fire,” said Christopher Adams.
“When people feel left out of the national arrangement of power we do see uprising.”
The convoy rolled through Manitoba on Tuesday, with the group making its way into Ontario on Wednesday.
Adams believes there has also been an erosion of trust with political leaders, spurring many into action.
“(It’s) an anti-Justin Trudeau government movement,” he said.
“I would be very surprised if one percent of the people part of this convoy or those coming to see the convoy, vote Liberal at all in federal elections.”
Prime Minister Trudeau commented on the convoy Wednesday afternoon, describing them as a "fringe minority."
"The small fringe minority of people who are on their way to Ottawa are holding unacceptable views that they're expressing do not represent the views of Canadians," Trudeau said, "who have been there for each other who know that following the science, stepping up to protect each other is the best way to continue to ensure our freedoms, our rights,our values as a country."
OTTAWA PREPARES
Ottawa Police Service spoke with city council on Wednesday saying it is preparing security and surveillance plans for the convoy’s ultimate arrival this weekend.
“Our interactions with freedom rally organizers indicate that this will be a significant extremely fluid event that could go on for a prolonged period,” said Inspector Trish Ferguson.
The police chief said the department has already come under siege from counter protesters.
“I can tell you that within the last 24 hours, the Ottawa Police Service received a direct threat from a counter protest source, to the safety of our officers and to the facilities in which our civilian members and officers work in,” said Chief Peter Sloly.
The protest has garnered international attention, with former President Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr. calling the movement ‘genius.’
“When we push back against the insanity, we can win,” he said to nearly five million Facebook followers.
Ottawa Police said early Wednesday afternoon that they expect to see about 1,000-2,000 people on the ground during the day Saturday, but expected that number to change by the end of the day, with a more firm estimate known on Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.