'I don't stand with selfishness': Trucker 'freedom convoy' drives through Ontario as Canadians support, condemn COVID-19 vaccine protest
Canadians were watching Ontario as the trucker convoy arrived in the Greater Toronto Area on Thursday, met with crowds gathering in support of the so-called "freedom convoy."
The convoy is making its way to Ottawa to protest the vaccine mandate for truckers crossing the Canada-U.S. border.
Ontario Provincial Police is urging everyone to be "patient and respectful" on highways with potential impacts from the convoy.
"OPP requests that convoy participants obey all traffic laws and behave in a manner that ensures safety for all users of the roadways," OPP tweeted on Thursday.
"Participants must allow passage of emergency vehicles and not impede traffic flow."
The Canadian Trucking Alliance has indicated that 85 per cent of the 120,000 Canadian truck drivers who regularly cross the border are vaccinated.
"The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) does not support and strongly disapproves of any protests on public roadways, highways, and bridges. CTA believes such actions – especially those that interfere with public safety – are not how disagreements with government policies should be expressed," a statement from the group on Jan. 22 reads.
"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. What is not acceptable is disrupting the motoring public on highways and commerce at the border."
Several people took to social media on Thursday to condemn the convoy.
I stand with our overworked healthcare workers, saving lives and preventing our healthcare system from falling apart. I stand with medical science and empathy. I don’t stand with selfishness and ignorance. #FluTrucksKlan #FluTruxKlan #TruckersConvoy2022 #FreedomConvoyCanada
— stillstuckinahole 🇨🇦🏴☠️🍜🥟👾 (@YukonFive) January 27, 2022
As the daughter of a long haul truck driver, I remember being without my father for weeks at a time growing up. At least he brought back fresh fruit and Altoids from the states. Sorry to the kids whose idiot parents are just bringing back covid. #FluTrucksKlan
— Kate Headley (@MsCommuniKate) January 27, 2022