Feds calling for trucker convoy protest to end, propose special meeting to plan next steps

The federal government is calling for the trucker convoy protests to end, and are proposing a special meeting with provincial and municipal governments to plan next steps, including enforcing existing provincial sanctions, as the demonstrations stretch into their second week in the nation's capital.

“These blockades and occupations need to end. Unlawful activities are not the way to offer meaningful involvement in government policy development,” said Transport Minister Omar Alghabra on Monday.

Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair said during the federal update—the first of its kind since the convoy protests kicked off—that the federal government wants to strike a “trilateral table with municipal and provincial partners.” Blair said that this table would allow the various parties responsible for managing the standoff to keep lines of communication open and respond efficiently.

Alghabra said that he will be speaking with his provincial counterpart to discuss enacting existing regulatory powers over the commercial trucking industry, including suspending commercial licenses and insurance for the owners of the equipment blockading streets for days on end.

“It’s clear, blockades of streets and bridges is against the law and should bring serious consequences for the owners,” the transport minister said.