“From Lloydminster to Thunder Bay, there’s not been a stretch of road or every two kilometres, or township roads, range roads or highway cut-ins, with anywhere from 5 to 500 people at them in the middle of nowhere. People cheering us on with their signs. Some of these places they were out there at 11 o’clock at night still waiting for us. It’s been amazing to see Canadians be Canadians again.”
Local organizer Miranda Gasior says they have 15-20 semis from Lloydminster as well as at least 20 four-wheelers which includes vans and SUV’s.
The convoy rested in Thunder Bay Wednesday night before continuing the trek Thursday morning, as they head to the nation’s capital.
She says her voice has gone raspy and hoarse from all the shouting they have been doing but her resolve for going to Ottawa to press their case against the vaccine mandate is strong.
“We have always had freedom of choice. We have never had anyone interfere with our medical. We have never had anybody tell us that we cannot go into somewhere.”
She says this is not the Canada she grew up in and she has always had choice. She says truckers are worried about their job security.
“We have never had truckers have to worry about how they are going to make their next meal because they are constantly under threat. We have never had to worry about how food was going to get on our shelves.”
Her biggest reason for leaving her family behind as she heads across the country is her children.
“When I was a kid, and my grandfather and my great grandfather went off to the war, to fight for freedom; the exact same way we are doing right now. The only difference between then and now is that we want to be peaceful. We want to do this the right way.”
Gasior says they just want to be free. In seeking that freedom, she adds it’s been one of the hardest things, to leave their families at home as they seek to make their case to the federal government.
She says when they get to Ottawa they will not clog up the streets. Emergency vehicles will be able to move freely. However the local organizer faces the issue that the federal government may not be listening.
“They might not be listening now, but I can guarantee that every single person that is listening to this story; they will be listening at some point.”
The Vista National News Desk understands that the Ottawa Police Service is preparing for the convoy to arrive and with them a variety of scenarios, including the possibility of violence. In a statement the service says they have been working with the convoy group who have been cooperative.
A spokesperson for Ottawa Police says they are also planning for other groups and counter protesters.
On Twitter Thursday, Ottawa Police issued the following statement, “We welcome peaceful demonstrations. That said, public safety is paramount – there will be consequences for persons engaging in criminal conduct, violence and/or activities promoting hate.”
On Saturday, January 22nd, the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) released a statement denouncing any protests on public roadways, highways, and bridges. The CTA says the vast majority of the Canadian trucking industry is vaccinated with the overall industry vaccination rate closely mirroring that of the general public.
“CTA believes such actions – especially those that interfere with public safety – are not how disagreements with government policies should be expressed. 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,” the statement says.