What does the trucker convoy hope to accomplish?
CTV
As the convoy of truckers and their supporters descends on Ottawa for what's set to be a weekend of protests and potentially prolonged gridlock, what is the group looking to accomplish?
Initially fundraisers said that truckers were planning to drive to Parliament Hill to protest against the COVID-19 vaccine mandate introduced Jan. 15 by Canada on cross-border truckers. As the convoy picked up steam, it has expanded to become a much broader vehicle for people to express their outrage at the federal government and pandemic restrictions that they feel curb their freedoms.
The “freedom convoy” and its organizers have expressed that their intention this weekend is to take their fight “to the doorsteps of our federal government” and demand it ends “all” mandates against Canadians and “respect the rights of those who wish to remain unvaccinated.”
In a statement posted to the convoy’s Facebook page, organizers said that they think the federal government has “crossed a line” when it comes to implementing COVID-19 vaccine passports and mandates. They want to see all “obligatory vaccine” programs terminated.
However, public health orders and proof of vaccination systems are largely provincial jurisdiction.