TORONTO – After creating all kinds of inconveniences and getting the residents of Ottawa out of the gangsters, the truck drivers of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” also arrived in Toronto, Quebec City, Winnipeg, Fredericton, Vancouver, Victoria, Regina paralyzing traffic in the city center. 

In Toronto, protesters, who gathered in Queen’s Park, chanted slogans against the vaccination obligation. What was initially supposed to be the protest of truck drivers was soon joined by the whole Canadian no vax world that disputes vaccines, masks, public health rules to curb the spread of Covid-19 and governments of all levels that, in their opinion, are not managing the pandemic well. Always admitted, say the deniers, that the pandemic exists.

The city, on Saturday, was in a state of war: to give a strong hand to the Toronto police, in case of unrest, agents of the Peel Regional Police were also called. A 22-year-old protester was arrested for assault with a weapon and possession of a smoke bomb but overall the one in Toronto was a demonstration that did not result in violence and the display of symbols such as swastikas. “There were flags from all the countries of the world, people of all races and religions, everyone was there together as Canadians – said Raul Lima, present at the event – I met very polite people and, apart from one or two protesters a little over the top, everyone was there to tell the government that their voice must be heard. All in all it was an extremely positive event.”

Less positive, for Toronto residents, was the slowdown in traffic at the intersection of Bloor Street West and Avenue Road where hundreds of people and several trucks blocked the road for hours.

Toronto Mayor John Tory said he was satisfied that the protest was peaceful and did not create too many inconveniences for downtown hospitals: “I want to thank all residents, health companies and emergency services for their continued patience in dealing with the slow traffic and noise created by this protest.” said Tory.

Meanwhile, since the beginning of the protests in the various Canadian cities, the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) has distanced itself from truck drivers and people who have joined them with a statement in which it says it does not support protests on public roads, highways and bridges. In addition, the OTA pointed out that most ontario truck drivers are vaccinated. “While some Canadians have flocked to Queen’s Park to express their disapproval of the vaccination obligation, it appears that most protesters have no connection to the trucking industry and do not represent the views of the Ontario Trucking Association or its members,” OTA said.

In response to the demonstration, a group of health workers organized a counter-protest. “We want to let Toronto residents know that we want to ensure they have free access to downtown hospitals, community clinics,” Dr. Philip Berger, organizer of the Access to Care rally, told CP24.

In Ottawa, meanwhile, the protest that some have described as an “occupation” has reached its tenth day, with traffic jams, vehicles honking and difficulties in moving around that distress residents. Ottawa police have reported vandalism, harassment, hate speech and violence, and the continued obstruction of many services. And while hundreds of trucks remain parked at Parliament Hill, the city’s mayor Jim Watson said the situation was “out of control”. “There are more protesters than policemen – said Watson – the police must do more, we need to be more proactive when it comes to demonstrations like this”.

Photos: Corriere Canadese – Raul Lima