Back قافلة الحرية 2022 Arabic Пратэсты ў Канадзе (2022) Byelorussian Freedom Convoy German Κονβόι της Ελευθερίας 2022 Greek Convoy de la Libertad Spanish کاروان اعتراضی کانادا Persian Freedom Convoy 2022 Finnish Convoi de la liberté French שיירת החירות (2022) HE Konvoi kebebasan di Kanada ID
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| Canada convoy protest | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part of COVID-19 protests in Canada | |||
| Date | January 22 – February 23, 2022 (1 month and 1 day) | ||
| Location | Canada (spillover into the United States) | ||
| Caused by | COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, COVID-19 vaccination mandates in Canada[1] | ||
| Goals | Abolition of federal and provincial COVID-19 mandates in Canada | ||
| Methods | Convoy protest over major Canadian highways; demonstration at Parliament Hill | ||
| Resulted in | No concessions given; Emergencies Act invoked from February 17 to 23, 2022 | ||
| Parties | |||
| |||
| Lead figures | |||
| Number | |||
| |||
| Casualties, arrests and damages | |||
| Injuries | 8[b] | ||
| Arrested | 272[c] | ||
| Fined | 2,600+[26] | ||
| Economic loss | Estimates of up to $6 billion[27][28] | ||
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The Freedom Convoy (French: Convoi de la liberté) was a series of protests and blockades across Canada in early 2022, initially organized to oppose COVID-19 vaccine mandates for cross-border truck drivers. The movement quickly expanded to protest broader COVID-19 restrictions and mandates. Beginning on January 22, 2022, hundreds of vehicles departed from various locations across Canada, converging in Ottawa on January 29 for a rally at Parliament Hill, joined by thousands of pedestrian protesters. Parallel demonstrations occurred in provincial capitals and at key border crossings with the United States.
The protests followed the end of vaccine mandate exemptions for cross-border truckers, which had been in place to mitigate supply chain disruptions. Approximately 85% of Canadian truck drivers serving cross-border routes were vaccinated, but the new restrictions potentially affected up to 16,000 drivers. Protesters called for the repeal of all COVID-19 mandates and restrictions, citing concerns over personal freedoms and government overreach.
While some officials and businesses raised concerns about the economic impact of the blockades, the demonstrations drew both domestic and international support, including from members of the Conservative Party of Canada and Republican politicians in the United States. The federal government responded by invoking the Emergencies Act on February 14, 2022, granting extraordinary powers to law enforcement. By February 21, most blockades and protests had been dismantled through large-scale police operations.
The convoy drew a mixed response from the public and various organizations. Labour and trucking groups criticized the protests, asserting most participants were not truckers. Allegations of involvement by far-right groups and calls for the federal government to be overthrown were also raised, as were concerns about the seizure of weapons near a blockade in Coutts, Alberta. However, supporters framed the movement as a grassroots stand for liberty against government overreach.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Highlights Frustrationswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Canadian Press (January 28, 2022). "Ottawa police call in reinforcements as convoy takes up positions around Parliament". Winnipeg Sun. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
- ^ Taylor, Stephanie; Berthiaume, Lee (November 23, 2022). "Solicitor-client privilege on Emergencies Act creates 'black box,' inquiry hears". ctvnews.ca. CTV News. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
- ^ MacCharles, Tonda; Ballingall, Alex (November 21, 2022). "CSIS head told Justin Trudeau to use Emergencies Act, inquiry told". thestar.com. Toronto Star. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
- ^ Soucy, Paul (January 28, 2022). "Trucker convoy leaves Kingston heading for weekend rally in Ottawa". Global News. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
- ^ "Arnprior expecting 600 Freedom Convoy vehicles this afternoon". InsideOttawaValley.com. January 28, 2022.
- ^ @davidakin (January 28, 2022). "Police Sources On Freedom Convoy Numbers" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Ottawa mayor says ticketing, towing protesters could incite them". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. January 31, 2022. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Coletta_20220131was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Toronto police, city officials preparing for potential Queen's Park convoy protest". CBC News. February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
- ^ Paez, Beatrice (February 4, 2022). "Morning Update: Canada moved to stop the arrest of ex-Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko, sources say". The Globe and Mail – via www.theglobeandmail.com.
- ^ "Tungasuvvingat Inuit says truckers protest in Ottawa causing 'anxiety and increased fear'". APTN National News. Winnipeg MB: APTN. February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ "Ottawa mayor says ticketing, towing protesters could incite them". CBC News. January 31, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ Al-Hakim, Aya (February 5, 2022). "As it happened: Ottawa police warn against supplying 'material supports' to protesters". Global News. Toronto ON. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ Josh Pringle; Ted Raymond (February 5, 2022). "'We need an additional surge of resources:' Ottawa police chief". CTV News. Toronto ON: BellMedia. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ "Injury from police horse during convoy protest too minor to investigate, SIU says". CBC. April 4, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ Gentile, Luke (February 22, 2022). "WATCH: 'Freedom Convoy' trucker reacts to being beaten by Ottawa police". Washington Examiner. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
WpgFTRwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
CBCcalmwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Update on Police Operations to Remove Unlawful Protesters". Ottawa Police Service. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ "42 arrests, 37 vehicle seizures made by police in Windsor protest". CTV News Windsor. February 14, 2022.
- ^ "CityNews". toronto.citynews.ca. February 16, 2022.
- ^ "Twelve more arrests as RCMP clear protest near Pacific Highway border crossing". Vancouver Sun. Vancouver BC: Postmedia. February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ "Two Peterborough men charged in connection with convoy protests over the weekend". CTV News Toronto. February 21, 2022.
- ^ "Man accused in hit-and-run at Manitoba Freedom Convoy protest granted bail, barred from entering Winnipeg". CTV News Winnipeg. February 7, 2022.
- ^ "Ottawa Police Service Deploying All Available Officers to Enforce Neighbourhood Safety". Ottawa Police Service. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Hall, Kalea; Barghouthi, Hani (February 15, 2022). "How long Ambassador Bridge blockade will be felt after reopening". The Detroit News. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ La Grassa, Jennifer (February 15, 2022). "Ambassador Bridge blockade stalled billions in trade — and there could be other effects: expert". CBC News. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
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