SUBJECT: Convoy Protests

LOCATION: Canada

ISSUE/SOURCE: “Freedom Convoy” protests against COVID-19 measures

DATE: February 2022

SUGGESTED RESPONSES 

  • Vaccination, used in combination with preventative public health measures, is the most effective tool to reduce the risk of COVID-19 for Canadians, and to protect public health.
  • The majority of truckers have made the right choice and are vaccinated. They are essential to keeping our supply chains moving – and they are doing so each and every day. 
  • The illegal blockades across the country are causing significant impacts on the supply chain, economy, job market, and rights and freedoms of fellow citizens.
  • The Government of Canada is working with all levels of government to bring an end to these illegal activities, including through the declaration of a public order emergency under the Emergencies Act, to end disruptions, border blockades and the occupation of Ottawa’s downtown core.

IF PRESSED - GENERAL

  • The Government of Canada recognizes the essential work accomplished by the trucking industry in continuing to provide critical goods and services that benefit Canadians during this difficult time.
  • Since the outset of the pandemic, we have been engaging regularly with all levels of government and road industry stakeholders, including the trucking industry and unions, to identify emerging issues and mitigate disruptions.
  • We remain committed to supporting essential transportation workers, including truckers, while ensuring a coordinated response in the fight against COVID‑19.
  • We will continue to rely on the advice of our public health specialists to help us chart our next course as we look to live with COVID-19.

IF PRESSED - OTTAWA

  • We recognize and sympathize with the challenges that Canadians and the citizens of Ottawa have faced as a result of these illegal occupations
  • Strengthened by key authorities granted under the Emergencies Act, we support local and provincial law enforcement activities, along with deployed RCMP resources, to ensure these illegal activities come to a conclusion quickly.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[Current as of February 15, 2022]

  • On January 15, 2022, COVID-19 vaccination requirements were expanded to certain groups of travellers, including most essential service providers (e.g., truck drivers) seeking entry to Canada from the United States (US). On January 22, 2022, the US implemented a similar measure, requiring Canadian essential workers seeking entry to the US via the land border to be fully vaccinated.
  • In protest, a number of Canadian truckers began planning a convoy, referred to as Freedom Convoy 2022, calling for an end to vaccine mandates.
  • On January 28, 2022, a large-scale demonstration began in the National Capital Region.  While a number of Canadians have converged in Ottawa in protest of vaccine mandates, a great number of these protestors have no connection to the trucking industry and have a separate agenda extending beyond vaccines to include all public health measures. The Canadian Trucking Alliance and other industry associations have openly denounced any protest activity involving public roadways, highways, and bridges.
  • Similar demonstrations have begun to spread across the country, including in parts of PEI, NS, NB, QC, ON, MB, SK, AB, BC and the Yukon. The demonstrations are largely centered in downtown cores, high-traffic areas, marine ports, airports and at border crossings, involving both blockade and “slow-roll” approaches.  Most have been short-lived compared to the protracted demonstrations in Ottawa (ongoing), at the Coutts land border in Alberta, and at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor.
  • In support of containment efforts, 8 NOTAMs have been issued for airspace restrictions, including: the area adjacent to the airspace over Parliament Hill; Fredericton, NB; Quebec City; Queen’s Park, Toronto; Windsor, ON; Winnipeg, MB; Milk River, Alberta; and Coutts, Alberta.
  • On February 11, 2022, the province of Ontario declared a state of emergency, giving police stronger authority to enforce measures against individuals blocking international border crossings, 400-series highways, airports, ports, bridges, and railways. Violations of municipal bylaws, provincial highway traffic legislation, orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, and the Criminal Code of Canada are punishable by law with fines as high as one hundred thousand dollars, permanent records of criminal convictions, and jail time. Vehicles used in the blockades may be seized or impounded by the police for an extended period, and truck owners could lose their commercial licence, commercial vehicle operator registration, insurance, and their ability to operate.
  • On February 14, 2021, the Government of Canada invoked the Emergencies Act to supplement provincial and territorial capacity to address the blockades and occupations taking place across the country.  Under the authority of Public Safety Canada and the RCMP, the police will be given more tools to restore order in places where public assemblies can constitute illegal and dangerous activities, such as blockades and occupations as seen in Ottawa, Ambassador Bridge and elsewhere. 
  • These tools include strengthening their ability to impose fines or imprisonment. The government will designate secure-and-protect places and infrastructure that are critical to our economy and people’s jobs, including border crossings and airports. There will also be an ability to compel, for just compensation, tow truck owners and operators to actually do the jobs for which they have contracts with various orders of government to keep highways and roads clear. Penalties for non-compliance are severe (up to $5000 and up to 5 years in prison).
  • Transport Canada (TC) has been engaging with other key federal departments and the RCMP, as well as provincial ministries of transportation and U.S. counterparts, to work through options to provide additional tools to the police to help bring the protests to resolution, including both positive incentives and enforcement measures. Transport Canada inspectors are providing support to law enforcement as it relates to examining the handling and transportation of dangerous goods in Ottawa. Anyone found guilty of non-compliance can be subject to fines on summary conviction of up to fifty thousand dollars.
  • By way of context, under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, TC is responsible for establishing the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, which set out safety requirements for commercial trucks (e.g., brakes, lighting, tires). Under the Motor Vehicle Transport Act (MVTA), TC regulates certain operational matters relating to commercial trucking activity (hours of service, safety ratings, and contract of carriage). Provinces and territories (PTs) have full responsibility for enforcing federal motor carrier operational regulations, and are responsible for driver training and licensing, vehicle inspections, speed limits, and general enforcement of safety on Canadian roads. PTs are also responsible for road and roadside infrastructure, such as highways rest stop facilities. 

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