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
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.