Hundreds of residents from the Battlefords area came to support a convoy of truckers traveling to Ottawa to protest vaccine mandates. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

'Freedom Rally'

Hundreds in attendance for truckers convoy

Jan 24, 2022 | 5:06 PM

A movement of thousands of truckers in Canada that’s been met with both support and criticism had a stop in northwest Saskatchewan Monday afternoon that received a crowd.

Dubbed ‘The Convoy for Freedom 2022’, the convoy’s first leg departed British Columbia over the weekend to make to Ottawa on Jan. 29. In North Battleford, approximately 450 people came out to support those stopped at the Petro-Canada lot, with vehicles lining the highway and some joining the procession.

(Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Maidstone resident Steve Gessner, who had 30 years’ experience as a long haul truck driver, partnered with local businesses to provide supplies for those traveling.

“Food, water, you name it, people have been donating to this all morning,” he said. “It’s become so large, it’s wonderful to be a part of it. Very encouraging.”

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(Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

One organizer associated with the Maverick party set up a GoFundMe for the convoy that has raised more than $3.5 million of its $4 million goal.

“Freedom of choice”

Nicole Hundt, an owner and operator of a semi-truck, is going as far as Manitoba with the group, but won’t be going the length of the trip. She said she’s pleased to see the reaction from the public.

“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but I think we have a big enough rally and support group behind us, more than people realized,” she said.

Hundt noted there’s varying beliefs on the vaccine amongst the people involved, but the reason for their journey to Ottawa is because of the mandatory vaccine requirement for truck driving and other professions.

“A lot of guys on this rally are vaccinated and they aren’t ashamed of it, they’re not trying to downgrade it or say people should or shouldn’t [get vaccinated],” she said. “We all just want the choice to make our own decisions on our health.”

Sanica Diebel, who co-owns High Grade Truck Driving, echoed Hundt’s sentiment, saying she’s there to support everyone’s freedom.

“Many people have lost their jobs,” she said. “Even though mandate doesn’t mean law, people feel they’re forced to do the vaccination. I’m for freedom of choice and that’s what it should be.”

“I hope people are encouraged to follow and take that step, a big change.”

National critics

The federal government announced in November that all Canadian truckers looking to cross the border into the United States would need to be vaccinated to avoid a 14-day quarantine, which came into effect Jan. 15. Minister Justin Trudeau recently stated to reporters that the majority of truckers are already vaccinated and wouldn’t be impacted.

Politicians aren’t the only ones providing criticism of the protest. On Saturday, the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) released a statement against the convoy, arguing this method of protest interferes with public safety.

“Members of the trucking industry who want to publicly express displeasure over government policies can choose to hold an organized, lawful event on Parliament Hill or contact their local MP,” the statement read. “What is not acceptable is disrupting the motoring public on highways and commerce at the border.”

CTA president Stephen Laskowski added to the statement, saying that since both countries made the vaccine a requirement to cross the border, it should be accepted.

“This regulation is not changing so, as an industry, we must adapt and comply with this mandate,” he said. “The only way to cross the border, in a commercial truck or any other vehicle, is to get vaccinated.”

In response to the public safety criticism, Diebel said that as a certified driving instructor, she’s well aware of safety precautions on the road and that they’re being implemented with this convoy.

“We have protocols in place; we’re well below speed limits, there’s safe following distances and we’re not out to do any harm,” she said.

Some Conservative support

In conservative circles, Tory leader Erin O’Toole was less than supportive of the protest, largely encouraging vaccination, while Maverick Party interim leader Jay Hill stated that members “support Canadian’s rights to participate in peaceful protest when they feel compelled.”

Local MP Rosemarie Falk gave a statement to battlefordsNOW that said the truckers have a right to raise their concerns, adding that their situation is a growing crisis.

“The industry already has a shortage of drivers and even less drivers on the road means more empty shelves in our stores and higher prices,” she said. “My position has always been that Canadians should have the right to make their own personal health decisions and to medical privacy.”

Falk also stated that the situation is a result of the Trudeau government’s mismanagement of the pandemic.

“They have failed to secure the necessary rapid tests and PPE and failed to provide provinces with needed supports,” she said. “Instead, the Trudeau government continues to normalize dividing Canadians, lockdowns and restrictions.”

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josh.ryan@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports