“The Truth and nothing but the Truth, so help Us…”

What was the purpose of “The Freedom Convoy 2022”? Originally it was a bunch of truckers wanting to protest and show their disapproval for the cross border vaccine requirements put in place by the Canadian and American governments, and to hopefully spark a change. It was quickly hijacked tho by ‘political/radical type people’ (none of which have a link with the trucking industry as far as I can tell) and they have been leading it since.

What is the convoy all about now? It has become a platform for everyone who is sick and tired of being told what to do by the government. People saw the convoy movement that was started and jumped onto the backs of the truckers and twisted it into something much bigger, and to voice out all their anger and frustrations with the government and the pandemic. It isn’t about truckers, and it has grown into other protests and convoys across Canada, in the US, and even in Australia.

I’m all for people sharing their perspectives, opinions, thoughts and beliefs, and having their voices heard, no matter where they come from. Everyone has the right to speak their minds, to have a peaceful rally, a protest march, or to protest in whatever form they want to express themselves. But do it in a way that makes sense, is the most beneficial, and it doesn’t harm or hinder others.

There should have been someone that’s able to maintain a neutral stance to lead and organize the freedom convoy, not a freaking political group. It’s clear they had their own agendas, otherwise things wouldn’t be the way they are right now. There should have been a plan set up for when the convoy made it into Ottawa for example cuz from my perspective, it looks like an after party drunk idea, which makes very little sense….

Obviously there was no thought for the general public either, like in Ottawa, jamming the streets with trucks and other vehicles causing local businesses, medical clinics, restaurants, and shelters to close. They have all been struggling since the start of this pandemic as well, but now their struggles are due to their fellow citizens, not government regulations. Blaring the horns at all hours of the day and night when people in the area are trying to relax and sleep, are now forced into a constant noise invasion, not to mention the environmental impact from all the vehicles constantly running.

The convoys have complicated things for the general public traffic wise, causing all kinds of blockages and delays in different areas across Canada. I saw a march of protesters walking along an on ramp in Quebec, they were going towards the highway, and it prolonged a few truckers who were working but were stuck behind them, they were not willingly participating in the march. And what about all the truckers stuck on US soil for days trying to cross the Alberta border but can’t cuz protesters created a blockade. How does that even make freaking sense, they are blocking the very people from the industry they all claim to be fighting for and their rights?! I get it, people want to be heard and for big changes to come in the way laws are set up now, but so far I don’t see any productive communication between protesters and the government to induce change. I just see people needlessly disrupting and hindering others.

If you really want to help and support truckers, don’t stand on the roadways with your kids and dogs and flags in -20C weather. Support us by driving nicely around big trucks, give us more space when you pass us, and give us time to brake. Don’t get mad and swear at us cuz we go slowly, just pass us quickly and safely. Don’t brake check us, please, that is super dangerous. Wave, say hi, do the air horn pump as you go by, we will happily blow the horn back. Buy a trucker a coffee/tea/muffin, or just sit and have a conversation with us. Shippers and receivers, allow us to use your washrooms while we are picking up/delivering your goods. Restaurant owners, allow us to order food through your drive thru’s when the restaurant is closed due to restrictions, we can’t get our trucks thru but we still need to eat. Just treat us like human beings, that is a great support. 

The majority of truckers, especially us old timers, do many things altruistically out here that the general public isn’t aware of. We could share many stories from our experiences that come to us as a natural part of our ‘jobs’. Next time you meet a trucker, ask about their week, you will see. We do our jobs cuz we love it, and have a deep sense of pride for doing it safely, and being there when needed. I have worked damn hard for 25 years doing flat deck, running b-train fuel tankers, bulk oil, slip decks, reefers, dry vans, etc. I literally gave my blood, sweat and tears. Being a female who always ran as a single driver, this is also a huge feat within a very male dominated industry. I am proud to be a trucker and a driver trainer, I love the transportation industry. But these so called freedom convoys, I don’t see them as representative of the trucking industry that I know and love, that I helped to build, and continue to.

The main thing that really gets me going tho with all of this is the fact that the protesters decided to gather now, at this time when the virus is so much easier to transmit. It put us all back to the beginnings of the pandemic. Obviously no one is wearing masks at any of the protests so the numbers will sore now as people come and go, giving it to their loved ones back home across Canada and the US, spreading the virus like wildfire. Just fucking brilliant. I’m sure there will be a hard fall out from this, and even more mandates put in place. And all for what?? The lack of real, true solid leadership is a massive downfall for these movements. We will ALL suffer. Did anyone think of that?!

We often hear the slogan ”we are in this together” thru this pandemic, well then lets act like it. Stop the separation of everyone into categories. Work together. Think of how your actions will affect others before you act. Do what is right in the grand scheme of things. Be kind. Pay it forward with no expectations of gaining in return. Start being a little less selfish. Love thy neighbour.