Thursday, March 28, 2024

Timer

Trucker convoy rolls through Hamilton, Niagara Region on Thursday

First Published:

A convoy of truckers protesting mandatory vaccinations will be rolling through the Golden Horseshoe Area on Thursday.

The drivers began a cross-country trip in British Columbia on the weekend and are heading to Ottawa to stage a demonstration on Parliament Hill. The convoy will make stops in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Hamilton before heading to Kingston.

A group called Canada Unity is organizing the movement, which its members refer to as “Freedom Convoy.”

The group is protesting the federal government’s mandate that requires all truckers coming into the country to show proof of vaccination to avoid testing and a quarantine period. It says the rules are “unconstitutional, discriminatory and segregating and human rights violations.”

Large crowds have turned out in support of the convoy as it makes its way across Canada.

Organizers say the vaccination mandate will mean fewer truckers will be on the roads which will cause a supply issue in stores across the country.

However, experts say the supply issues some stores are currently experiencing are due to last week’s massive winter storm and staffing shortages due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Speaking at a news conference Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the vast majority of truckers are vaccinated.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance says only 15 per cent of drivers – roughly 16,000 – are not fully vaccinated. The alliance has denounced protests on public roadways, highways and bridges.

Ontario Provincial Police says delays are expected on the QEW, Highway 400, Highway 427, Highway 403, and Highway 401 over the next few days as the convoy heads to Ottawa.

More Top News

Federal offender known to frequent Hamilton at large, again

The OPP are searching for a federal offender they say is known to frequent the Hamilton area. 31-year-old Daniel Hale is described as an Indigenous...

Four Ontario school boards sue Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok

Four of Ontario's largest school boards are suing the parent companies of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok alleging the social media platforms are disrupting...

No injuries after fire at Niagara’s Best Inn hotel

A fire at Niagara's Best Inn hotel broke out late Wednesday. Emergency crews were called out to the structure fire on Ferry Street around 10:30...

Man crashes car in Stoney Creek after fleeing traffic stop

A Hamilton man is facing charges after he allegedly tried to flee a traffic stop and then crashed his vehicle in the city's east...

Town of Huntsville confirms it was hit by ransomware attack

A town in Ontario's Muskoka region has shared more details about a cybersecurity incident earlier this month. The Town of Huntsville says it was hit...

Evening weather forecast for March 27, 2024

Shelly Marriage shares the forecast for March 27, 2024 and the days ahead.