Convoy protesters call for end to COVID-19 health restrictions on Parliament Hill

OTTAWA-Parliament Hill was overtaken by a cacophony of honking on Saturday morning, as protesters flowed towards the epicentre of Canadian democracy to call for an end to health restrictions roughly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic.

A day after Ottawa police said they expected a massive" demonstration in the city, thousands of truckers and supporters of the convoy that travelled across Canada this week honked their horns and waved a variety of flags in front of Parliament's Centre Block on Saturday morning.

The mood was defiant, yet celebratory, with slogans that ranged from profanities directed at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to calls to end vaccine mandates and show respect for people regardless of their vaccination status. On Saturday morning, the snow-covered lawn in front of Centre Block started to fill with placard-waving demonstrators and some people with banners and flags tied to hockey sticks.

Patrick Meilleur of Lachute, Que., was one of several people handing out printed copies of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to a line of parked trucks and cars near Parliament Hill. He claimed public health restrictions and vaccine mandates were violating Canadians' charter rights, and hoped the arrival of the convoy would convince the government to lift all measures designed to slow the spread of COVID-19.

I don't think anything will change on a dime. But we're already hearing politicians speaking out, which is a great thing," said Meilleur, who had booked an appointment for his first vaccine dose but ultimately decided not to get the shot.

The virus has killed more than 33,000 Canadians since it emerged in China more than two years ago. Evidence shows COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting against severe outcomes of the illness, along with hospitalization and death. Other public health measures, including wearing masks and maintaining social distancing, have also been proven to reduce transmission of the virus.

Last fall, the country's ongoing booster shot rollout kicked off, in an effort to boost Canadians' immune response to COVID-19.

For those eligible, getting an mRNA booster has been shown to provide additional protection against infection, but most importantly results in very good protection against severe illness resulting in hospitalization from Omicron," Canada's chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said Friday.

For other protesters, being told to get a booster shot was the final straw.

I got two shots, and that's probably going to be it," said Marc-Andre Canuel, who arrived in Ottawa Friday night from Quebec City.

Canuel told the Star he got vaccinated because of work requirements - not because he believes they work.

People should have the freedom to decide for their own health," Canuel said, brandishing a Canadian flag.

This is why so many people now are rising together here in Ottawa. I believe, altogether, we are frustrated. I am myself extremely frustrated. And I feel like today was the opportunity to walk with my companions, Canadians, who are also very upset about the situation."

So far, boosters have not been included in Canada's definition of a fully vaccinated traveller, though federal officials have indicated that could change as more people receive their shots.

Others in the crowd voiced grievances outside of the pandemic. Kristin MacNeil, a Canadian Navy veteran and nurse from Prince Rupert, said she drove her small green car all the way from B.C. with the trucker convoy, and that she is taking part in the demonstrations because she feels the federal government does not respect people in Western Canada. She also said she feels the government isn't doing enough to advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, citing the recent discovery of potential unmarked graves at a First Nation near Williams Lake, B.C., as well as the persistence of drinking water advisories on reserves across the country.

I hope there's some kind of change to show progress, to show that Justin Trudeau is listening to the people," MacNeil said.

Elsewhere, the disgruntlement with Trudeau was more personal. Larry Fehr, who came with the convoy from Scarborough, held a placard that called for an end to vaccine mandates. Fehr said he doesn't believe the prime minister is isolating because a member of his family has COVID-19, and suggested Trudeau is too scared to hear out the protesters converging on the Hill.

He's like a skunk. He comes out at night," said Fehr.

CBC reported Saturday morning that Trudeau and his family had left their Ottawa residence at Rideau Cottage to ensure their safety. In a statement to the Star, the Prime Minister's Office would only say Trudeau is isolating according to local health advice in the National Capital Region."

As always, we do not comment on security matters," the statement said.

Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly said Friday officials expect the vast majority" of demonstrators to be peaceful, but warned that lone wolf individuals" and unspecified parallel groups" could try to incite violence.

Earlier this week, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons warned MPs of online solicitations" for their residential addresses in the capital region, and to lock their doors and refrain from posting about the protests on social media.

The Canadian Anti-Hate Network has also reported that the convoy of truckers has been promoted by individuals from far-right groups in Canada.

Organizers of the convoy have said their sole intention is to call for the end of health restrictions, including recent federal rules that require unvaccinated truckers to quarantine if they drive across the border. The U.S. has imposed similar rules.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance has denounced the convoy protest and says more than 85 per cent of the 120,000 Canadian truck drivers who regularly travel across the Canada-U. S. border are vaccinated. That leaves up to 16,000 truckers who could be impacted by the cross-border vaccine mandates.

Alex Ballingall is an Ottawa-based reporter covering federal politics for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @aballinga

Raisa Patel is an Ottawa-based reporter covering federal politics for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @R_SPatel