Convoys of truckers from across Quebec rolled by the Montreal area on Friday on their way to Ottawa for a weekend rally.They’ll be joining hundreds of others on Parliament Hill to protest against COVID-19 government vaccine mandates.From coast to coast, truck drivers against COVID-19 vaccination regulations have gathered.As of Jan. 15, any unvaccinated Canadian truckers arriving from the United States have to quarantine for 14 days, while unvaccinated foreign nationals will not be allowed into Canada. The United States is also requiring proof of vaccination at its border crossings.Thousands of people gathered in a show of support, lending a party atmosphere to a truck stop west of Montreal, located at Exit 17 just off Highway 40, while others waved flags from overpasses along the way. Story continues below advertisement Sources overpass on The 40 on Montreal’s West Island.#truckers pic.twitter.com/JtRWHyHr0S— Michael Armstrong (@ArmstrongGN) January 28, 2022The truck stop is where the Quebec contingent of truckers and other protesters met up before heading to the capital. Trending Stories Traffic was backed up for several kilometres on Highway 40 west as the group motored down the road Friday afternoon.Quebec provincial police said officers were dispatched to patrol the roads to ensure minimal disruptions in traffic but warned motorists to avoid affected areas.The Canadian Trucking Alliance has disavowed the protest and said more than 85 per cent of truckers are vaccinated. Many truckers have also posted on social media they continue to do their jobs and that the convoy doesn’t speak for them. Story continues below advertisement Meanwhile, the Quebec government says public health measures that have been put in place are there to protect the population and bring an end to the pandemic.“People can certainly express their views, but it has to be done in an orderly way,” said parliamentary leader and Justice Minister Simon-Jolin Barrette.— with files from Global News’ Phil Carpenter, Mike Armstrong and Brayden Jagger Haines and The Canadian Press View link » © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Comments