Some Sea to Sky residents took to the streets to show support for the "Freedom Convoy" protest that rolled into Canada's national capital over the weekend.
A lineup of vehicles was spotted driving south on Highway 99 towards Whistler on Saturday, Jan. 29, with Canadian flags flying and horns honking. A crowd of supporters also gathered for a roadside rally in Pemberton, as seen in videos and photos posted to social media following the event.
The "Freedom Convoy" protest was sparked earlier this month by long-haul truckers opposed to a federal vaccine mandate, but has since escalated into a larger movement calling for an end to most, if not all, pandemic-related restrictions. Some protesters have also used the opportunity to call for the dissolution of the current federal government led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Those travelling into Canada by land have been required for months to show proof they've received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in order to cross the border, but essential workers (including truck drivers) were exempt from the rule until Jan. 15 of this year. Though no Canadian truck driver—vaccinated or not—can be denied entry into their own country, the federal government announced in November that unvaccinated Canadian truck drivers entering Canada after Jan. 15 will need to meet requirements for pre-entry, arrival and Day 8 testing, as well as quarantine requirements. Some truckers have argued this could exacerbate the country's existing supply chain challenges.
The protest has garnered its fair share of support, with a GoFundMe campaign for the convoy raising more than $9 million to date, but the movement has also received widespread condemnation from industry groups, elected officials and Canadians who support the ongoing health restrictions. A small number of people associated with the convoy to Ottawa have also been linked to far-right and separatist groups.
