A new page in Canadian history has just been written as truckers from all over Canada and the United States converged in Ottawa, Ontario on January 29, 2022 to protest vaccine mandates. The sound of honking horns and bustling engines couldn’t be ignored as the convoy of over 50,000 freedom fighters rolled their way into Ottawa, the home city of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Their goal was to stand against a federal mandate implemented January 15, 2022 which states that “unvaccinated Canadian truck drivers entering Canada will need to meet requirements for pre-entry, arrival and Day 8 testing, as well as quarantine requirements.” 

The United States implemented a ban on unvaccinated foreign truck drivers soon after on January 22. The Department of Homeland Security now requires that non-U.S. individuals entering the United States via land ports of entry or ferry terminals along the Northern and Southern borders be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. 

View Comments (62)

An impressive caravan, these Canadian and American Patriots determined to stand in the gap for anyone who has been coerced or forced to get vaccinated at the hands of a government who calls them extremists, for simply wanting control over what goes into their bodies. Currently between 16-20% of Canadian truckers are not vaccinated, but the convoy included both vaccinated and unvaccinated truck drivers who formed a unified position against mandates.

Describing the large numbers taking part in the event, Benjamin Dichter, a spokesman for the Freedom Convoy 2022, told the Toronto Sun, “It’s 70 kilometers long…I have seen footage from an airplane. It’s impressive.” 

Even Elon Musk jumped in to offer his support on Twitter by tweeting, “Canadian truckers rule.” In a later tweet he added, “If you scare people enough, they will demand removal of freedom. This is the path to tyranny.”  

The sheer number of truckers stood in stark contrast to what Trudeau stated in a press conference on January 26. “The small fringe minority of people who are on their way to Ottawa who are holding unacceptable views that they are expressing, do not represent the views of Canadians…”

Soon after the speech, it became clear to the participants in the Freedom Convoy that Trudeau would be making his getaway. He tweeted, “Last night, I learned that I have been exposed to Covid-19. My rapid test result was negative. I am following Ottawa Heath rules and isolating for five days. I feel fine and will be working from home. Stay safe, everyone–and please get vaccinated.” Reacting to Trudeau’s actions,  Journalist Keean Bexte of Calgary, Alberta tweeted that a “new variant of COWARD-19 had been detected.”

It became obvious to the members of the convoy that the double Covid vaccinated and boosted Trudeau wasn’t interested in hearing the grievances of these hard-working citizens who have toiled diligently to deliver much needed supplies throughout the pandemic. Trudeau’s decision to duck out at this moment contradicts his own words in an article posted by the World Economic Forum about what makes a good leader. He stated, “It is critical to listen to others, particularly those from a different background and with different experience. The job of a leader is to find the common good, not to protect their own tribe…we are not going to arrive at mutual respect, which is where we solve common problems, if we cocoon ourselves in an ideological, social or intellectual bubble.”

Trudeau’s about-face attitude has given many Canadians whiplash. On March 31, 2020 (before vaccines were available) he tweeted: “While many of us are working from home, there are others who aren’t able to do that–like the truck drivers who are working day and night to make sure our shelves are stocked. So, when you can, please #ThankATrucker for everything they’re doing and help them however you can.” In essence, Trudeau went from lending a helping hand to strong-arming the heroes of his country and ignoring their pleas.

Loyal supporters gathered along overpasses and roadsides to cheer on the courageous parade of truckers who assembled in Vancouver, then made their way to Ottawa to protest the vaccine mandates. Trucks and cars proudly dawned flags and posted signs that said, “Freedom doesn’t require permission” and “Liberté.”

Canada’s media has all but ignored the event that converged on Parliament Hill, but social media posts that continuously live-stream the event left no room for doubt that it’s perhaps one of the biggest protests in Canadian history. The truckers made their expectations clear before the protest by posting a press release that lists four basic demands which are:

1. The federal and provincial governments terminate the vaccine passports and all other obligatory vaccine contract tracing programs, or inter-Canada passport systems.
2. Terminate Covid vaccine mandates and respect the rights of those who wish to remain unvaccinated.
3. Cease the divisive rhetoric attacking Canadians who disagree with government mandates.
4. Cease to limit debate through coercive measures with the goal of censoring those who have varying or “incorrect opinions.”

Even though the vaccines do not prevent the spread of Covid, leaders like Justin Trudeau continue their tirade against the unvaccinated. For example, on September 17, 2021, the Canadian Prime Minister offered insults on a Quebec television show. “They are extremists who don’t believe in science, they’re often misogynists, also often racists… It’s a small group that muscles in, and we have to make a choice in terms of leaders, in terms of the country. Do we tolerate these people?”

In a news conference on January 5, 2022, a reporter asked Trudeau, “I’m wondering, what are you going to do that you haven’t tried already, to reach these people who are continuing to clog up the ICUs?”

Trudeau answered: “First of all, we have to see that the vast majority of Canadians have stepped up–have been there to get themselves vaccinated to protect their loved ones, to protect frontline health workers and that is significant. We’re amongst the top countries in the world in terms of citizens stepping forward to do the right thing. So, it’s not just about governments and health workers frustrated that there are Canadians who still continue to not get vaccinated–it’s fellow Canadians as well.”

On January 7, 2022, the government of Ontario’s public data showed that most people in hospitals because of Covid-19 were fully vaccinated. A LifeSite article revealed that data at the time showed there were 1,327 “fully vaccinated cases” in hospitals, compared to 441 “unvaccinated cases.” Data from Alberta and Quebec showed a similar pattern, with the majority of people in hospitals due to Covid being “fully vaccinated.”

Nevertheless, the government of Quebec instituted measures that ban all unvaccinated individuals over 12 years old from big box stores such as Walmart and Costco. Their only reprieve is to be followed around by a designated store employee who will supervise their purchases, making sure they only buy essential items such as food and medicine. The unvaccinated are not able to access performance venues, stadiums, auditoriums, movie theaters, festivals, amusement parks, zoos, bars, restaurants and even places of worship.  Here’s a link showing all the places just within Quebec that require a vaccine passport. If that weren’t enough, the government announced in early January that it’s considering fining unvaccinated residents because it would be a way for them to contribute to the overburdened health care system.

The truckers and participants in the Freedom Convoy aren’t just spinning their wheels to win back the freedoms that should have never been taken in the first place. Their plight is connected to all Canadians and Americans who want to live without being forced and coerced into a medical treatment. Their defiance is a giant step towards shattering the other mandates still in place.

Unfortunately, no matter how genuine and legitimate these protests are, the left-leaning media will put their own spin on it. An article from Politico that was posted January 28, 2022 (one day before the protest) set the tone by quoting the Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly who declared, “The demonstrations this weekend will be unique — fluid, risky and significant…these demonstrations are national in scope, they’re massive in scale. Unfortunately, they are polarizing in nature.” It goes on to say, “The protest, however, has steam-rolled into a high-profile event onto which far-right individuals have hitched their own causes — as have many with a grievance as Canada enters the 23rd month of the pandemic…The freewheeling organization is also creating fears of potential violence…Some supporters have made calls to invoke the Jan. 6 insurrection on Capitol Hill. Others have promoted property damage and encouraged making threats to public officials.”

But reporters on the ground such as Ezra Levant and Mocha Bezirgan, who were covering the protests as well as the convoy itself, say the event and demonstrations were positive and peaceful. Canadians from all provinces congregated in unity by the thousands. Contrary to what Trudeau or the media say, they are not a fringe minority trying to take over the Parliament Building. Instead, they are like-minded individuals, working together to create change and secure medical freedom. Speaking to a packed-out crowd in bone-chilling temperatures, Rebel News reporter Ezra Levant boldly exclaimed, “I’ve never seen a more diverse group of Canadians. And far from violence–people want to not be violated anymore. Justin Trudeau says you’re extreme, but he is the one who has violated our civil rights.” 

It’s hard to believe Canada was once the country known for maple syrup and the northern lights. Now it’s become a country whose leaders seek to tear down the rights of every citizen. Thankfully, the truckers and their supporters have not cowered in the face of adversity, but instead have tackled it head-on in an event that showcased peaceful resistance. In fact, on January 30, a day after the large-scale protest, the Epoch Times reported that police officers did not witness any violence.

Certainly, this issue requires much prayer. It goes without saying that these dedicated truckers are a key component to the supply chain. Cross-border trucking organizations have been warning that requiring drivers to be vaccinated would create a rift in the already stressed system. Experienced economist and investor James Rickards posted an article in The Daily Reckoning which explains, “Most people think the supply chain is just part of the global economy. That’s not entirely true. The supply chain IS the global economy. There isn’t a single good or service of any kind that does not arrive through a supply chain. Not one.” 

A tweet from DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management on January 15, 2022 advised, “If you’re hitting the grocery store to prepare for winter weather, please just buy what you need and leave some for others. You may have noticed empty shelves in some stores due to national supply chain issues, but there is no need to buy more than you normally would.” 

So, how should we pray? First of all, we must realize that the Freedom Convoy isn’t just about truckers and their families. It’s about people from all backgrounds who have been affected by public mandates. The thousands upon thousands of wheels that rolled through the streets of Canada represent the wheels of change EVERYONE needs around the world. Governments have put the brakes on medical and religious freedom and this event reminds us that we must press the gas and accelerate by speaking the truth in droves. Let’s lift our voices like the blaring horn from an 18-wheeler.

Lord Jesus, we pray for you to give strength, determination and fortitude to the heroes of the supply chain throughout the world. We ask you to provide for them, as well as their families as they stand up against global tyranny. Please show us the best way to be a force for change in a world that wants to go in the wrong direction. Give us the courage and wisdom we need to tackle problems head-on without fear. And no matter what comes, let’s remember we will be more than able to endure.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13)

How can we specifically pray for issues affecting our supply chain, as well as those who play an essential role in keeping it stable? Let us know in the comments below!

(Angela Rodriguez is an author, blogger and homeschooling Mom who studies the historical and biblical connections between Israel and the United States. You can visit her blogs at 67owls.com and 100trumpets.com. Her latest book, Psalm 91: Under the Wings of Jesus, was released in June 2021. Photo Credit: Getty Images)