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Freedom Convoy, Vaccine Regulations Overview:
- Who: A group of truckers have been demonstrating in Ottawa for almost two weeks.
- Why: The truckers are protesting the fact they must be vaccinated to re-enter Canada when traveling cross-country. Others have joined them to protest other more general pandemic restrictions.
- Where: The protestors are based in downtown Ottawa.
The United States government is urging Canada to use federal powers to end a weeks-long protest held by truckers that has now blockaded three border crossings along with other major roads and bridges.
Demonstrators involved in Canada’s “Freedom Convoy” are now impacting workers on both sides of the border, a coalition of U.S. businesses said Thursday, with the blockades adding to “the significant supply chain strains on manufacturers and other businesses in the United States.”
Protesters blockaded a third U.S.-Canada border crossing on Thursday. The Emerson crossing, between Manitoba and North Dakota, was shut down after a large convoy of vehicles and farm equipment blocked traffic in both directions, Canadian police said.
Demonstrators protesting vaccine mandates and coronavirus restrictions have also blockaded border crossings at Coutts in Alberta and the Ambassador Bridge.
As a result, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to Twitter late Thursday to say he had convened meetings with cabinet ministers, local officials and opposition lawmakers to take action to bring the blockade to an end.
“They’re harming the communities they’re taking place in — and they’re hurting jobs, businesses, and our country’s economy,” he said.
Ottawa Residents Filed $9.8M Class Action Lawsuit Over Truck Horns
Meanwhile, downtown Ottawa residents are taking action themselves, slapping organizers of the “Freedom Convoy” with a $9.8 million class action lawsuit that alleges the continuous use of vehicle horns has harmed them.
The residents say they’ve suffered “significant mental distress” and “suffering and torment” due to the constant honking from truck drivers participating in the convoy.
An Ontario Superior Court judge also granted a 10-day injunction on Monday, ordering an end to the incessant honking by truckers parked on downtown streets, CTV reports. Anyone who violates the injunction could be found in contempt, which brings stiffer penalties than regular bylaw charges.
Disagreements over COVID-19 vaccination requirements have led to a number of class action complaints.
In Oct. 2021, Canadian National Railway workers hit back against the company’s vaccine mandate, sending their employer a letter threatening class action if it persisted with its vaccine policy.
In Sept. 2021, a socially conservative legal advocacy organization argued that Elections Canada could be violating individuals’ right to vote by requiring they wear a mask to the polls to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
And in May 2021, seven rural churches filed a class action lawsuit against the Manitoba government protesting ongoing COVID-19 measures that have impacted religious gatherings.
Have you been affected by the “Freedom Convoy”? Let us know in the comments!
The plaintiff in the Freedom Convoy Honking Class Action is represented by Paul Champ and Emilie Taman of Champ & Associates.
The Freedom Convoy Truck Honking Class Action Lawsuit is Li v. Barber, et al. in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
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