A convoy has made its way to Saugeen Shores protesting Covid mandates and restrictions.
Around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, numerous vehicles arrived at Bruce Road 25 (CAW Road) to protest.
Participants in the protests lined the street honking horns and clogged traffic along the road. According to OPP, the route started in Kincardine and travelled to Southampton, Allenford, Tara, Burgoyne, and ended in Port Elgin.
South Bruce OPP acknowledged the convoy and say they recognize the Charter of Right of everyone to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, they say their role is to ensure public safety and keep the peace.
Saugeen Shores Police add they will focus on maintaining open communication with everyone involved, a reasoned and tempered approach, while encouraging everyone to be patient and respectful.
One protestor says they wish to support Canadians and freedom through the convoy.
“It just means no mandates for everyone, free choice and their body their choice,” says the protestor.
The protestor went on to say they believe if people choose not to get the vaccine, they should not have things taken away from them, including their job or source of income.
“We just hope to get some people together, get Canadians together, have fun and support each other and have a good day, bring morale up and hopefully get this country back to where it should be,” says the protestor.
When asked where the country should be, they said that includes lower gas and food prices.
Trucker Convoy 3 (Photo by Nathan Shubert)
Another protestor says they believe in vaccines but not in mandates.
“The science has proven that it is time things are slowing down, let’s get moving on this, we have suffered long enough,” says the protestor. “I am a business person I am in farming and I just feel society, what I see, is dissatisfied right now.”
Prior to the convoy, Unifor’s Director of Education Roland Kiehne, who’s Family Education Centre is located on CAW Road in Port Elgin, says it came to his attention there were plans to assemble on the road.
“The blockades at border crossings are negatively impacting Unifor (former CAW) members across the province. I have members writing me eager to participate in a counter protest,” says Kiehne. “The Saugeen Shores Police Service should make every effort to dissuade the truckers from assembling on CAW Road.”
Just outside the Family Education Centre on CAW Road, Unifor had put up signs saying they condemn the freedom convoy, and telling the convoy participants to go home as they are hurting Unifor members and communities.
Trucker Convoy 2 (Photo by Nathan Shubert)
“I find it ironic that the truckers are choosing CAW Road to assemble this morning, and CAW stands for Canadian Auto Workers, while at the same time, there is a blockade at the Ambassador Bridge that has effectively idled thousands of auto workers in the province,” says Kiehne. “It is just ridiculous, they talk about freedom, what about the freedom of those that want to go to work everyday to provide for their families.”
A small group of individuals made their way to Saugeen Shores to show their support for medical professionals, masks and mandates.
Trucker convoy in Saugeen Shores today pic.twitter.com/OreOlnr5cM
— Nathan Shubert (@nathan_shubert) February 12, 2022
