Trudeau forced to trigger emergency as Canada protests cripple city – threat of $100k fine

Canada: Truckers protest against Covid restrictions

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Demonstrators continue to gather in front of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario – an important trade route. They are protesting a Covid vaccine mandate, imposed by Mr Trudeau’s Government, for truckers crossing the Canada-US border. Reports suggest the demonstration has since verged onto other, wider territory beyond mandates.

According to Ontario Premier Doug Ford, what began as protest has become an “occupation”.

Truckers have been told they could face fines of up to $100,000 if they do not go home.

That is equal to around £60,000.

They could also spend a year in jail.

Mr Ford said: “The right to protest does not outweigh the right to get food, fuel and goods across our border.

“That’s why we are ensuring our police have the tools and powers to resolve this situation and restore order.”

Asked whether the Canadian army could be called in to disperse the protesters, Mr Trudeau said he was a “long way” from that consideration, but added: “We have to be ready for any eventuality.”

In a recent post on Twitter, the Prime Minister said: “The blockades in Windsor and Ottawa are endangering jobs, impeding trade, threatening the economy, and obstructing our communities.

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“They must stop.”

Some have suggested it was wrong to criticise those protesting against restrictions on the grounds they are damaging the economy following close to two years of Government-imposed lockdowns that have been hurtful – in some cases, irreparably so – to countless businesses.

Others have criticised Mr Trudeau’s vaccine mandate as undemocratic.

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Michael Taube, former speechwriter for the then-Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, wrote in the Telegraph: “Mandatory vaccination is an unreasonable proposition in a democratic society.”

He added: “To target truckers, who are mostly vaccinated and serve a vitally important role in society by delivering goods and services we desperately need, is the epitome of virtue signalling.

“There’s really no epidemiological case for mandatory vaccines for the trucking industry as a whole, as is the case with most industries.”

Despite numerous threats, the trucker protesters “maintained control” on Friday, according to reports.

Mr Ford has asked “we come together as a country and as a province and show the world that this is not what Canada is about”, though there has been no indicated the vaccine mandate will be revised.

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