B.C. truckers join ‘freedom convoy’ across Canada in protest of vaccine mandate

A B.C. contingent of truckers is heading to Ottawa in protest of a federal vaccine mandate.

The convoy started its trek on Highway 1 Sunday. Those taking part plan to join other truckers as the vehicles cross provincial borders.

By Monday morning, the convoy was in Alberta, making its way for Saskatchewan.

The truckers are planning to be in the nation’s capital by Saturday, when a rally is set to take place.

According to safety rules posted by “Freedom Convoy” organizers, truck drivers are asked to stay between 60 and 100 kilometres per hour, and to stay behind the convoy of trucks.

The truck drivers are also getting some help to pay for their trek, with an online fundraiser raising more than $3 million.

However, despite many truck drivers taking part in the “Freedom Convoy,” the move has not received the support of the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA).

In a statement, the CTA says it “strongly disapproves of any protests on public roadways, highways, and bridges.”

Canadian Trucking Alliance Statement on Road/Border Protests https://t.co/DQMB121Csf

— CTA (@CanTruck) January 22, 2022

The organization says this type of demonstration isn’t a safe or effective way of resisting the vaccine policy, adding drivers must adapt and comply with cross-border vaccination rules.

“CTA believes such actions – especially those that interfere with public safety – are not how disagreements with government policies should be expressed,” the statement reads, adding members who want to publicly show how they feel can instead “choose to hold an organized, lawful event on Parliament Hill or contact their local MP.”

The CTA adds the vast majority of truckers are vaccinated, and that about 10 per cent of the 120,000 Canadian drivers who cross the border are unable to work those routes because they haven’t received their shots.

“What is not acceptable is disrupting the motoring public on highways and commerce at the border,” the CTA writes.

Related stories:

• Feds not backing down on vaccine mandate for Canadian truckers

• Canada not changing border COVID testing rules, despite PCR shortage

The Canadian and American governments have both made vaccines mandatory for commercial truck drivers to be able to cross each country’s respective borders.

On Jan. 15, the federal government mandated unvaccinated or single dosed Canadian truckers to quarantine when entering Canada based on pre-entry, arrival, and day-8 testing.

American truckers are also turned away at the border unless they’ve been fully vaccinated.

-With files from The Canadian Press