Canada - Coronavirus COVID-19 #3

[Sundog]

The protest seems quite odd to me. If Canadian truckers have to be vaccinated to get into the US, under US regulation, which is not controlled by the Canadian Federal gov't, then what exactly are Canadian truckers protesting? Are they protesting the Canadian regulation requiring vaccination in order to travel from the US into Canada? If so, how do unvaccinated Canadian truckers get into the US in the first place?

Canadians now have to be fully vaccinated to cross the U.S. land border.

My impression that #FreedomConvoy2022 is about vaccine mandates, not the vaccine itself. So even though they may be vaccinated, they are against the mandates and in solidarity with their colleagues who choose not to be vaccinated.
Interesting that Tim Horton's is supporting the truckers, they have a long relationship with truckers and don't want to lose it. I also noticed that Brazilian truckers are now showing support in solidarity with Canadian and U.S. truckers, these truckers started an international movement.

 

[otto]

My impression that #FreedomConvoy2022 is about vaccine mandates, not the vaccine itself. So even though they may be vaccinated, they are against the mandates and in solidarity with their colleagues who choose not to be vaccinated.
Interesting that Tim Horton's is supporting the truckers, they have a long relationship with truckers and don't want to lose it. I also noticed that Brazilian truckers are now showing support in solidarity with Canadian and U.S. truckers, these truckers started an international movement.

Of course, but the real question is why Canadian Truckers are making such a fuss when Canadian truckers have to be vaccinated crossing both ways across the border? USA truckers only have to be vaccinated entering Canada. Who exactly is protesting and why? What outcome do they want - that USA truckers can enter Canada without the vaccine even though they cannot enter the USA without the vaccine?

It seems a bit ridiculous. Canadian truckers can travel in Canada without the vaccine if that's their choice. It's the second largest country in the world - surely they can find routes. If they want to drive to the USA, they must be vaccinated. Canada, Ottawa, Trudeau cannot change this.

Who is behind this massive cross-country anti-vax protest?

 

[Sundog]

Of course, but the real question is why Canadian Truckers are making such a fuss when Canadian truckers have to be vaccinated crossing both ways across the border? USA truckers only have to be vaccinated entering Canada. Who exactly is protesting and why? What outcome do they want - that USA truckers can enter Canada without the vaccine even though they cannot enter the USA without the vaccine?

It seems a bit ridiculous. Canadian truckers can travel in Canada without the vaccine if that's their choice. It's the second largest country in the world - surely they can find routes. If they want to drive to the USA, they must be vaccinated. Canada, Ottawa, Trudeau cannot change this.

Who is behind this massive cross-country anti-vax protest?

This appears to have started and grown as an incredibly successful grassroots event, and must have been helped by the fact that truckers have a great communication system with one another while out on the road and otherwise. And I think it tapped into an overwhelming feeling that people have had enough with government over reach, not just the truckers, but all those people who support them and have now found a voice - in the small towns and rural communities all along the highway. If you read their signs, they are incredibly patriotic but they are freedom lovers and against the extreme mandates that the government has forced on them. Who would have guessed that it would be truckers who would be the voice of the people. Interesting phenomenon that will go down in history, I am sure.

 

[JDG]

I don’t think this truckers convoy is ‘ the voice of the people’ in Canada.

According to media reports they only have 29% of the public’s support.

Otto, you had to ask the hard question. Good for you.

Who is behind this massive cross-country anti-vax protest?

 

[Sundog]

I don’t think this truckers convoy is ‘ the voice of the people’ in Canada.

According to media reports they only have 29% of the public’s support.

Otto, you had to ask the hard question. Good for you.

Who is behind this massive cross-country anti-vax protest?

Do you have a link? 29% isn't insignificant, that's close to one-third of the country.

 

[JDG]

Poll: 28% of Canadians support unvaccinated truckers crossing border

Protesters of COVID-19 restrictions, and supporters of Canadian truck drivers protesting the COVID-19 vaccine mandate cheer on a convoy of trucks on their way to Ottawa, on the Trans-Canada Highway west of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Tuesday January 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski
By Meredith Bond

Posted Jan 27, 2022, 6:11AM EST.

Last Updated Jan 27, 2022, 7:02AM EST.

Almost one in three Canadians, or 28 per cent, support allowing unvaccinated truckers to cross the U.S.-Canada border, according to a new poll.

Those with this view are mostly likely to be from Alberta with 35 per cent followed by Atlantic Canada at 30 per cent and Ontario at 29 per cent.



The poll, conducted for CityNews by Maru Public Opinion, also found that the majority of Canadians believe truckers should either be fully vaccinated or have to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of crossing the U.S.-Canada border.

The survey comes as a “freedom convoy” of truckers is making its way across Canada to Ottawa for a rally. The drivers left B.C. on Sunday and are opposing the federal vaccine mandates for cross-border drivers.

Read more:

• ‘Freedom convoy’ rolls into GTA, drivers warned to expect delays
• Police monitoring trucker convoy ahead of weekend rally in Ottawa

As of Jan. 15, all truck drivers entering Canada from the U.S. must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The U.S. has also invoked a similar mandate for Canadian drivers entering the U.S. however it does not apply for U.S. drivers returning to the States.

Those who aren’t vaccinated and cross the border will be subject to testing and quarantine requirements.

Drivers taking part have argued the mandate violates their freedom, prevents them from making a living and slows down the delivery of food and other products to parts of Canada.

Of the 72 per cent who believe there should be a screening process at the border for truck drivers, 36 per cent believe they should be fully vaccinated while another 36 per cent say the driver should have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taking within the previous 72 hours.

These survey was conducted on Jan. 24, 2022 involving 1,519 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Maru Voice Canada online panlists and has an estimated margin of error of +/- 2.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

 

[JDG]

‘The Canadian Trucking Alliance has distanced itself from….’

Seems it’s not a Canadian led protest, if the CTA is distancing itself from it.

The CTA does not agree with protesting on public highways, bridges etc.

This info. Can be found in a second article at 680News.

I didn’t link the second article as I don’t know how to keep it to the 10% as required by TOS @WS.

 

[JDG]

*

 

[JDG]

Perhaps this is an American led anti-vax protest, I dunno.

 

[RANCH]

The protest is being organized by Canada Unity, a group that opposes COVID-19-related measures. Its organizers want Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government to drop the vaccine mandate for truckers crossing the Canada-U.S. border and do away with other public health protections.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/trucker-protest-convoy-southwestern-ontario-1.6329118

CANADAS #1 SOLUTION TO GETTING OUR LAWFUL FREEDOM OF CHOICE BACK

https://canada-unity.com/mou/

 

[Sundog]

Perhaps this is an American led anti-vax protest, I dunno.

Just talked last night to my brother who is the VP for a trucking company in Edmonton, and he has no doubt that it is home grown. There are, of course, fringe groups who always try to hijack a successful movement and make it their own, but to make it all about the fringe groups I think is a way for some to try to discredit the movement. I say let them roll, and let's see what they have to say when they make their case in Ottawa. My sense is that the convoy and their supporters are simply against government over reach such as vaccine mandates, they are not necessarily against the vaccine, just the mandates. JMO.

ETA I mentioned above that they will make their case in Ottawa, but they have clearly already made their case to the Canadian people and are receiving incredible support.

 

[JDG]

If you read the “Freedom Convoy…” link above, you’ll see it’s approx. 1200 trucks and Ottawa police are expecting about 2,000 protesters.

 

[JDG]

Do they know Trudeau is in isolation as of today??

Seems he was exposed to COVID yesterday.

 

[LadyL]

'Ontario is closed for business:' Concert, theatre organizers face new COVID hurdles

 

[LadyL]

'City's going to get gridlocked': How the truck convoy could wreak havoc on Ottawa streets

 

[otto]

Officials from the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Service provide an operational update

 

[dotr]

Lengthy article. rbbm.
Jan 27 2022
Canada’s ‘Freedom Rally’ is being watched by the world — and seen in very different ways | The Star
By Kieran LeavittEdmonton Bureau
Alex McKeenVancouver Bureau
Olivia BowdenStaff Reporter
''When it began in the West this week, it was with the relatively narrow stated goal of protesting a vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers, the rule that they quarantine after crossing the Canada-U.S. border.

As it’s neared its destination, the meaning of the protest has seemingly ballooned to supporters and critics alike — becoming more ambiguous, and, for that reason, making its outcome less predictable''
''Evan Balgord, a researcher and the executive director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, recognizes that many supporters likely do believe it’s about vaccine mandates and “freedom,” but he sees something more ominous.

“A lot of people are supporting it from the sidelines,” says Balgord. “There’s a wide range of grievances that are bringing people to this thing — but it really is a far-right thing''

'Concerns about the inflammatory forces within the convoy have put police and Parliament Hill on alert in Ottawa.

Patrick McDonell, the sergeant-at-arms in charge of House of Commons security, wrote to MPs on Thursday warning of reports some demonstrators were seeking out home addresses for MPs in the Ottawa area. He said if their homes or constituency offices are targeted they should not engage, close and lock all exterior doors and get somewhere safe.''

 

[otto]

The trucker protest were not supported by the Canadian Truckers Association. The convoy seems to have attracted right wing extremists from both sides of the border who want to see the city erupt into vandalism, chaos, violence and threat against the Canadian government. I think that Canadians support the right for truckers to protest vaccine mandates, even though they many not agree with their opposition to the mandate. If this deteriorates into damage to the city of Ottawa, or threat against politicians or the people of Ottawa, the truckers will be held responsible - they will lose public support fast. Just an opinion.

 

[musicaljoke]

This appears to have started and grown as an incredibly successful grassroots event, and must have been helped by the fact that truckers have a great communication system with one another while out on the road and otherwise. And I think it tapped into an overwhelming feeling that people have had enough with government over reach, not just the truckers, but all those people who support them and have now found a voice - in the small towns and rural communities all along the highway. If you read their signs, they are incredibly patriotic but they are freedom lovers and against the extreme mandates that the government has forced on them. Who would have guessed that it would be truckers who would be the voice of the people. Interesting phenomenon that will go down in history, I am sure.

It's not getting general support. I would be very surprised if they accomplish anything other than looking like disturbers, much like the antivaxxers who protested outside of hospitals. The nation despised them.

The protesting truckers claim to be patriotic, but waving a flag doesn't make a patriot. Patriots are those who self sacrifice for the benefit of their nation and are doing all in their power to bring covid to an end.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/truck-convoy-vaccination-freedoms-1.6330176

 

[otto]

It's not getting general support. I would be very surprised if they accomplish anything other than looking like **** disturbers, much like the antivaxxers who protested outside of hospitals. The nation despised them.

The protesting truckers claim to be patriotic, but waving a flag doesn't make a patriot. Patriots are those who self sacrifice for the benefit of their nation and are doing all in their power to bring covid to an end.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/truck-convoy-vaccination-freedoms-1.6330176

So often a small but very vocal group gives the impression that they speak for the majority simply because the majority does not agree with, and does not participate in, the protest.