How did the truckers’ protest start?
For two years now, we’ve all had to follow some unpleasant rules like wearing masks, taking the vaccine and not hanging out with friends because these are the best ways to ensure we don’t get the COVID-19 virus. In Canada, one such rule is that truck drivers have to get vaccinated. This rule made some truck drivers very angry. They saw it as an attack on their freedom.
What is the Freedom Convoy and what did it want?
A large, noisy convoy consisting of hundreds of trucks and other vehicles reached Canada’s capital Ottawa on 28th January 2022. This group called itself the Freedom Convoy and said that it would disturb the local shops and businesses and make life difficult for everyone if the government did not remove all the pandemic rules. They blasted their horns for up to 16 hours a day to disturb the locals. Soon the Freedom Convoy protest spread to other cities in Canada. Hundreds of truck drivers and thousands of people gathered on the streets to express their anger against the pandemic rules.
How did the government react?
There is a harsh old law in Canada called the Emergencies Act that gives the government some extra powers. Usually in democratic countries, governments don’t use powers like these. Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, said he had no choice but to use this strict law. Trudeau said that in the time of a pandemic, it is important for everyone to follow rules that promote safety. Otherwise, more and more people will get sick.
How did it all end?
Using the Emergencies Act gave the government many powers that they used to shut down the protest and send people home. Some of the protest leaders were even sent to jail. Soon after, Canada’s government said it was deactivating this harsh law.
