Canada’s Anti-Vaccine Protest | How are anti-vaccine protests in Canada spreading globally?

Truck drivers have been paralyzed in the capital, Ottawa, since the end of January, demanding an end to the COVID – 19 vaccine law that makes it compulsory for truck drivers to cross the border into Canada. The protests have now blocked trade across the border between Canada and the United States.

Protests in Canada have led to protests against the vaccine in Australia, New Zealand and France. There are indications that truck drivers in the US are planning similar protests.

How did the protests start?

Truck drivers were outraged by the COVID-19 vaccine guidelines, which were introduced in January by Canada and the United States for truck drivers crossing the border. Drivers marched with lorries into the capital, Ottawa, to protest the law, which went into effect in early January. The Canadian Trucking Alliance, an industry group, said it was opposed to public road protests but that most Canadian truck drivers had been vaccinated. Protests are now widespread to oppose the government’s restrictions on people who are not vaccinated.

Influence of protests

Both countries have lost billions of dollars in Canadian-US trade due to the border blockade. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau refused to meet with protesters and moved to a secret center outside Ottawa. He later returned to Ottawa. Adherence to public health measures is the best way to fight the epidemic.

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Kovid has relaxed 19 restrictions since the beginning of protests in some Canadian provinces, including Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec. But the government says it has nothing to do with the protest.

Attempt of the authorities

Authorities in Ottawa are trying to contain the protests. Measures such as criminal prosecution, traffic restrictions, and loss of fuel can be expected to end sanctions. A court this week imposed an interim injunction to prevent people from honking their horns in downtown Ottawa. Police have avoided mass arrests and violent attempts to lift sanctions.

Comment by Canadians on the protest

A recent poll found that 62% of Canadians in the poll oppose the “Freedom Convoy”. Most people follow government health measures. 79% of eligible people in the population have taken two doses of the vaccine.

But some are supporting the protesters. Some say they are tired of government over-regulation.