The Freedom Convoy 2022 is gaining momentum as it heads towards Ottawa.
The protest has seen scores of truckers and supporters along the route as they travel across Canada to protest mandates, including the requirement for truckers who cross the border to be vaccinated. According to a GoFundMe page, “We are taking our fight to the doorsteps of our Federal Government and demanding that they cease all mandates against its people. Small businesses are being destroyed, homes are being destroyed, and people are being mistreated and denied fundamental necessities to survive.”
Tim Norton is a cattle hauler from the Rosemary area. The Mail caught up with him in Dryden, Ontario, Wednesday morning as they were getting ready to head back out on the road. His motivation is clear.
“I don’t want to get a jab that I don’t know what is in it, and I don’t think I should be forced to get one,” he said. “I don’t care what you do or anybody does, I just don’t want people to tell me I need to do it.”
He says he can’t go to his grandchildren's hockey games or go out to eat because he is not vaccinated. He also wonders about how many boosters are being called for.
He estimates, on average, the convoy itself is about 50 kilometres long, but that changes as they go through different communities.
“Whenever we go through a small town there would be hundreds of people beside the road, but there would be six or eight trucks there jumping in for the day,” said Norton. “It is probably 50 kilometres long, but jumps to about 70.”
As they move through different communities, he sees hundreds of supporters, all very generous, providing food and support. He said it was parked bumper-to-bumper through Winnipeg.
He said a Hutterite colony followed all the way from Headingley, Manitoba to Kenora, Ontario, to feed the drivers.
A GoFundMe page to support the rally to help with the cost of fuel, food, and lodging has climbed to over $5.3 million, indicating strong support. Norton is not concerned about the expenses.
“I don’t care if it costs me $5,000 for me to run back and forth across here. I don't care, this is one of the most important things I’ll probably ever do.”
A Hanna woman, Becky Linn, is working on organizing a local convoy on January 29 for those who could not make it to the main rally. She proposed on Facebook supporters complete a circuit that leaves Hanna on Highway 9 towards Drumheller, then continues north on Highway 56 to Stettler, and then travels on Highway 12 to Castor and returns to Hanna on Highway 36. She invites supporters to join from their community at 11 a.m. Saturday.
If readers are aware of other local participants who are willing to share their experience, email news@drumhellermail.com.