By Oli Herrera

FREEDOM CONVOY

Northern MPs weigh in on ‘Freedom Convoy’ protest in Ottawa

Jan 28, 2022 | 4:54 PM

PRINCE GEORGE—It’s been nearly a week since a convoy that started in B.C. began its route to Ottawa, protesting vaccine mandates for cross-border truck drivers. Now, local MPs are weighing in on the situation.

For some, it took nearly a week of travel, and almost 5,000km. Others were picked up along the way. Now, a large group of protestors calling themselves the ‘Freedom Convoy.’ has arrived in Ottawa, demonstrating against vaccine mandates.

Since January 15th, all truckers must be fully vaccinated to cross the U.S./Canada border.

The Facebook group—Freedom Convoy 2022—has stated that they want the Canadian government to remove that mandate and all vaccine mandates in Canada. Adding that they want Canadians to make their own health choices.

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Conservative MP Bob Zimmer voiced his support for the convoy protest. He says the mandate is putting tens of thousands of truckers at risk and wants Canadians to make their own choices. Adding that rapid testing should be an alternative measure to who are not vaccinated.

MP Conservative Todd Doherty is currently in Ottawa as the convoy makes it way in. He describes that there has been increased security in and around Parliament.

While says getting vaccinated is the best way of getting out of this pandemic, he’s showing support for peaceful protests and for people to voice their concerns; but is aware of those within the movement that have indicated otherwise.

“It’s disappointing when we have these fringe groups that are trying to hijack and takeover some of these–you know when these peaceful protests or opportunity for these voices to be heard. No different than we saw when it was the farmer’s protest or heard it was separatists movements and extremist groups that were part of those protests,” said Doherty.

Other MPs are flat out against the convoy protest.

“There’s some very worrisome and divisive rhetoric. I know some people want to frame this as an extreme element that has attached themselves to the event, but it’s the organizers themselves that are the most concerning. When you look at these folks and their history and their background of groups they’ve been associated with. These are very troubling parts of Canadian society,” said Taylor Bachrach, NDP MP for Skeena-Bulkey Valley.

Bachrach says he understands the frustration behind the mandates, but is urging for people to get vaccinated.

Doherty says he received calls from truckers who say they are vaccinated and simply want to show their support for fellow truckers. Bachrach says that for those people, they should reconsider the organization they’re protesting alongside with.

“Look at who’s organizing this event and look at the rhetoric that’s coming out. Violence Rhetoric, divisive rhetoric and this is something that I know the police and the Parliamentary Protective Services are taking seriously in Ottawa,” said Bachrach.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau voiced concerns over potential violent protests this weekend.

In Prince George, Facebook posts indicate that a protest rally is happening on Saturday January 29 at 1:30 p.m. at the CN Centre. This will be in support of those who are already at the capital.