Truckers, supporters descend upon GTA as drivers warned to expect delays

Hundreds of truck drivers descended upon the GTA on Thursday before heading to Ottawa for a rally on the weekend.

The truckers and thousands of supporters gathered at Vaughan Mills shopping mall before setting out for the journey east just after 2 p.m ET.  The increased traffic is complicating the commute for GTA drivers on all major highways.

The rolling protest, dubbed the ‘freedom convoy,’ was sparked by cross-border vaccine mandates for truck drivers though many of the participants now insist the rally is about all government health mandates.

The Ontario Provincial Police say they are aware of potential traffic disruptions on highways from Thursday to Saturday and are asking drivers to be patient as they monitor the situation.

“They have a right to peacefully protest but we also want to make sure there is still the movement of traffic,” said OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt. “We want to make sure that continues without unreasonable delay.”

The convoy plans to leave Vaughan Mills around 1 p.m. and head south on Highway 400 and east on the 407 as they make their way towards Kingston for Thursday night. The OPP says drivers should also expect slower commute times on the QEW, Highway 427 and Highway 403 as truckers arrive from all directions.

Dave Steenburg, one of the convoy’s organizers says there has been significant planning with provincial police to ensure traffic can still function and emergency vehicles are not hindered. He also notes he is involved in the safety planning with participating vehicles and is making sure they are legally insured and all the drivers have valid licenses.

The OPP sent out an alert around 11 a.m. saying emergency vehicles are already having difficulty responding to some calls and urging all motorists to stay alert.

“Our role in this is to keep our highways safe and keep our communities safe,” Schmidt said.

The truckers have been greeted by supporters on overpasses and on the sides of highways as they entered the city on Thursday morning.

Related:

• Police monitoring trucker convoy ahead of weekend rally in Ottawa

• Poll: 28% of Canadians support unvaccinated truckers to cross border into Canada

Supporters of the ‘Freedom Convoy’ of truckers opposing vaccine mandates gather near Highway 401 in Milton on January 27, 2022. Jerome Grange/CityNews

GO transit is also warning riders that some bus routes may be affected by the heavier than usual highway traffic congestion on Thursday. They are asking riders to check for alternative train routes before heading out.

“Some GO bus routes may experience delays today, as OPP are expecting GTA highways to be congested with increased truck traffic due to convoy,” said Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Akins in a tweet.

The truckers have been greeted by supporters along their journey, with local drivers joining the group along the way. The Regina Police Service estimated around 1,200 trucks went through the city on Monday night.

Parliamentary security, police preparing as truckers’ protest convoy nears Ottawa

Ottawa police estimate there could be up to 2,000 demonstrators when the convoy reaches Parliament Hill. Law enforcement in the nation’s capital is closely monitoring the situation.

A semi-trailer emblazoned with an expletive against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was spotted already in downtown Ottawa Thursday, but many more vehicles are expected over the next two days.

Their exact number is difficult to measure but Ottawa Police have warned city residents to avoid travelling in the nation’s capital over the weekend and to be prepared for delays if they do.

The city’s police force also said Thursday it welcomes peaceful protest but not violence or hatred.

“Police and our partners are focused on providing a safe environment for the community and demonstrators,” the Ottawa Police Service said in a statement on Twitter.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance has distanced itself from the group, saying it “strongly disapproves of any protests on public roadways, highways, and bridges.”

Though many of the participants now insist the rally is about all government mandates, the rally was sparked by the federal government’s new cross-border vaccine mandates that mean truck drivers need to be fully vaccinated to avoid a two-week quarantine and pre-arrival molecular test for COVID-19 before crossing into Canada.

Some drivers are arguing the mandate violates their freedom, prevents them from making a living and slows down the delivery of food and other products to parts of Canada.

The U.S. has also barred unvaccinated Canadian drivers from entering the country, mirroring Canada’s border filter. American truckers are also being turned away at the Canadian border unless they have been fully vaccinated.