Truck convoy arrives at Alberta Legislature in support of anti-vaccine-mandate protest in Ottawa
Downtown Edmonton is ringing with the sound of honking horns, as huge crowds converge on the Alberta Legislature grounds in support of an anti-vaccine-mandate demonstration in Ottawa.
A truck convoy, which started from Acheson, Alta., just west of Edmonton, arrived in the city on Saturday at around 12 p.m. MT, to show support for a national convoy protesting the trucker COVID-19 vaccine mandate on Parliament Hill.
The block around the grounds is jammed with vehicles and freight trucks blaring their horns. Some vehicles have flags hanging out their windows or tailgates, others have signs denouncing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The streets, mainly northbound 109th Street and 99th Avenue, are lined with supporters of all ages. There are more supporters listening to speakers in the quad next to the Federal Building.
Most protesters are carrying Canadian flags — some were upside down — and signs. Some signs lent support to truckers, but many suggested the government has taken away freedoms.
In November, the federal government announced new protocols for unvaccinated people travelling across the Canada-U.S. border.
That included changes for groups of travellers who had been exempt from entry requirements, like truck drivers, in the new year.
As of Jan. 15, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated Canadian truck drivers entering Canada must get a COVID-19 PCR test outside within 72 hours of planned entry in to the country; get tested when they arrive; and then self-test on Day 8 of a mandatory two-week quarantine.
On Jan. 22, the United States' government implemented a similar policy, barring non-U.S. travellers, including essential workers such as truckers, from coming into the country if they are not fully vaccinated.
Canada Unity, an anti-public-health-mandate group, organized a truck convoy to Ottawa, where they would protest the federal rules on Parliament Hill. It launched from all corners of the country last weekend, with thousands of protesters arriving in Ottawa Friday.
Organizers call it the Freedom Convoy, and it has received significant financial support. A GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $8.2 million from about 103,500 donors, as of 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
The campaign was launched by Tamara Lich, an Alberta woman affiliated with the Maverick Party, a federal right-wing political party formerly called Wexit Canada.
The convoy in Edmonton is in concert with the national convoy.
Earlier Saturday, RCMP and Edmonton police warned traffic jams in the city may last several hours.
The Edmonton Police Service issued an advisory to news media, saying traffic will be affected within the city until 6 p.m.
Police listed Anthony Henday Drive, Yellowhead Trail, Gateway Boulevard, as well as downtown Edmonton generally, as areas where traffic jams are expected.
Alberta RCMP also issued an advisory via social media, warning of congestion in the northbound lanes of the Queen Elizabeth II, from Didsbury, Alta., to Edmonton.
That congestion will be along the southbound lanes Saturday evening, RCMP said.
Meanwhile, Alberta RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency are monitoring a convoy ongoing in southern Alberta, along Highway 4 from south of Lethbridge, Alta., to the Canada-United States border crossing in Coutts, Alta.
