Steve Scherer

OTTAWA (Reuters – Canada’s capital, Ottawa, will be hosting a protest on Saturday against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s COVID-19 mandates. The arrival of hundreds of vehicles and convoys from around the country is expected.

Although the so-called Freedom Convoy – which is from both east and west, started as an anti-vaccine protest for trans-border truckers but turned into a demonstration of government excesses during the pandemic.

Although the convoys will arrive at noon, dozens of vehicles have blocked roads leading to parliament on Friday. According to a source from the federal government, there are approximately 2,700 trucks expected.

Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly stated that the demonstrations were “national in scope and massive in size.” “We don’t know about all the possible parallel demonstrations or where those lone wolf people may appear.

Sloly said that the teams would videotape “all aspects” and warned anyone who violates the law that they will be detained.

Trudeau said Friday that he was worried about protests turning violent. He spoke to the Canadian Press and stated this week that the convoy represented “a small fringe minority” who didn’t represent Canadians.

Trudeau had announced in October a mandatory vaccine for federal employees, just before the election. Last month, Canada and the United States also imposed one on cross-border truckers.

Conservative leader Erin O’Toole opposed vaccine mandates. However, she has offered support for the protest by promising to meet truckers.

Canadian Trucking Alliance (which represents about 4,500 drivers) opposes the protest. It says that this “is not how to disagree with government policies.” Most cross-border truckers in Canada are 90% and 77% have received two shots.