Who went to Ottawa, why are they still there and what happens now?

Feb 01, 2022
The Big Story

Trucks participating in a cross-country convoy protesting measures taken by authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19 are parked on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Jan. 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Trucker protest in Ottawa — Trucks participating in a cross-country convoy protesting measures taken by authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19 are parked on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Jan. 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

In today’s Big Story podcast, it was only ever barely about vaccine mandates. As thousands of Canadians took their grievances to Ottawa, some of the ugliest parts of the far-right joined them, distorting a message that was never that clear to begin with. After a weekend of blockades and plenty of bad behaviour, lots of legitimate protesters went home. Those who remain have vowed to occupy Canada’s capital, and demand the end of the Liberal government. Who are these people? What happens next? And why are leaders from both sides pouring gas on the fire?

GUEST: Elizabeth Simons, deputy director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network

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You can also find it at thebigstorypodcast.ca.

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