Canada Truckers' Rights Override Individual Right to Peace

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Truckers knew the sheer size of rigs will make it impossible 
for the government to take action. Ottawa was under siege.

Canada: On 28 January 2022, truckers who called themselves ‘Freedom Convoy’ parked their rigs around government buildings, bringing Ottawa the capital city to a halt, for a month. They even made a make-shift kindergarten, which led to the Prime Minister’s appeal to remove kids. Truckers were protesting COVID-19 requirements such as being vaccinated. They also blocked key border points joining Canada and U.S. Convoy leaders like Pat King were detained, got bail and faced multiple federal charges. Groups supporting truckers set up blockades in other parts of the country.

Solution?

The federal government invoked the Emergencies Act in February 2022, to remove truckers from Ottawa. Towards the end of that year, there was a public inquiry from October to November about it. Was the government right or wrong in seeing the truckers’ blockade as a national emergency?

February 17, 2023:  In his final report, the inquiry commissioner, Justice Paul Rouleau said the government was justified in using the Emergencies Act.

January 23, 2024: In a case brought by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Justice Richard Mosley ruled that the government’s use of the Act was unreasonable. Deputy Prime Minister of Canada Chrystia Freeland, says the government will appeal.

Truckers have uncorked the champagne obviously, but people of Ottawa and Canada in general are wondering about their own rights. Do truckers’ right to protest, override their right to a peaceful life? Canadian and American businesses are inter-twined because of goods that go in and out through borders. Do truckers’ rights override that?

Nonqaba waka Msimang

Executive Blogger

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