Convoy opposing trucker vaccine mandate rolls through Regina
A convoy of trucks protesting the federal government’s cross-border travel vaccine mandate rolled through Regina on Monday evening.
‘Freedom Convoy 2022’ opposes the rules implemented on Jan. 15, requiring proof of vaccination for truckers coming into Canada.
Under the rules, Canadian truckers who are not fully vaccinated will have to show proof of a negative PCR test collected within 72 hours of arriving at the border and will need to quarantine after arrival, while unvaccinated American drivers will be denied entry.
Supporters lined the Regina Bypass as hundreds of semi-trucks and other vehicles made their way through the Queen City around 9 p.m. Monday.
Regina trucker Earl Purdy joined the convoy to voice his concerns about COVID-19 mandates.
“We were supposed to be essential, but we’re nothing right now,” Purdy said, in an interview Monday night.
Supporters cheer on a passing semi-truck on the Regina bypass around 9 p.m. on Jan. 25, 2022. (Gareth Dillistone/CTV News)
Regina-Lewvan MP Warren Steinley was also out on the bypass to support the protest.
“Why now? What has changed? Show some data that this vaccine mandate will protect Canadians more. Is there any data points that show that truckers are affecting COVID-19,” Steinley said, in an interview with CTV News.
“Show us the data that this mandate for truckers is necessary, and we’ve seen nothing so far.”
However, the prime minister is standing by the border rules and the federal government’s COVID-19 response.
“I regret that the Conservative Party and the Conservative politicians are fear mongering to Canadians about the supply chain but the reality is that vaccination is how we are going to get through this,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, during a press conference Monday.
Lines of vehicles waited along the side of the highway to cheer on or join the convoy in Regina. (Gareth Dillistone/CTV News)
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe spoke out against the mandate during a press conference Monday, calling it “unnecessary” for the trucking industry.
“These are the folks that are delivering our products, our food in many cases to our communities in Saskatchewan and in Canada,” Moe said.
“They have operated safely throughout this pandemic long before we had access to vaccines, long before we had many of the tools that are proven to be helpful and effective in our battle against the Omicron wave.”
The convoy continued on out of Regina headed eastbound on Highway 1.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) issued a statement on Saturday, saying it does not support the protests.
“The vast majority of the Canadian trucking industry is vaccinated with the overall industry vaccination rate among truck drivers closely mirroring that of the general public,” the CTA said in its statement.
“Accordingly, most of our nation’s hard-working truck drivers are continuing to move cross-border and domestic freight to ensure our economy continues to function.”
The Saskatchewan Trucking Association deferred to the national alliance’s statement, when asked for comment on the protests.
The convoy left Calgary on Monday morning, with a send-off from an estimated crowd of more than 1,000 supporters. It passed through Saskatoon on Monday afternoon.
With files from CTVNews.ca and CTV News Calgary
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday in the hush money trial of former U.S. president Donald Trump, prepared to testify about a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.