Truck convoy rolling through Winnipeg protesting mandatory vaccine mandate
Manitoba truckers gathered in a convoy in Winnipeg to protest the new federal vaccine mandate for truck drivers with participants saying the jab should be an individual choice.
While semi-truck drivers attended, they were joined by supporters as well.
The group did a loop around the Perimeter and then ended up in front of the Legislative building on Monday.
"Give us the freedom to make the choice to get vaccinated or not and let us live with the consequences," one participant told CTV News. "Do not force it. You're not letting me work right now because I won't get it."
The federal policy requires all truckers who cross the border from the United States into Canada must be vaccinated to avoid testing requirements and a 14-day quarantine.
Phil was part of the convoy and echoed that truckers should have a choice.
"The biggest issue we have, we don't care about vaccinated or unvaccinated, we care about freedom for this country that we’re not getting anymore.," he said.
Another participant said a mandate goes too far.
"I think it's just imposing on our choice to do what we want with our body," they said.
This local protest comes as a large national convoy is driving across the country from B.C. to Ottawa in protest of the mandate.
A GoFundMe has also been set up to support the convoy and has already raised close to $4 million.
Despite the protest, the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) isn't on board.
"The Canadian Truckers Alliance does not support and strongly disapproves of any protests on public roadways, highways, and bridges," the organization said on Saturday. "CTA believes such actions, especially those that interfere with public safety, are not how disagreements with government policies should be expressed."
The Manitoba Trucking Association told CTV News that it agrees with the CTA.
However, Phil said he wants the mandates to go away.
"The Liberal government should get out of our way and let do our jobs. Let us live our life," he said.
The CTA said the majority of the industry is vaccinated and that vaccination rates mirror that of the general public in Canada.
The CTA also feels truckers should adapt and comply with the mandate and be vaccinated if they need to cross the border.
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 at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors 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.