I live in downtown Ottawa, right in the middle of the trucker convoy protest. They are literally camped out below my bedroom window. My new neighbours moved in on Friday and they seem determined to stay. I have read a lot about what my new neighbours are supposedly like, mostly from reporters and columnists who write from distant vantage points somewhere in the media heartland of Canada. Apparently the people who inhabit the patch of asphalt next to my bedroom are white supremacists, racists, hatemongers, pseudo-Trumpian grifters, and even QAnon-style nutters. I have a perfect view down Kent Street – the absolute ground zero of the convoy. In the morning, I see some protesters emerge from their trucks to stretch their legs, but mostly throughout the day they remain in their cabs honking their horns. At night I see small groups huddled in quiet conversations in their new found companionship. There is no honking at night. What I haven’t noticed, not even once, are reporters from any of Canada’s news agencies walking among the trucks to find out who these people are. So last night, I decided to do just that – I introduced myself to my new neighbours.
At 10pm I started my walk along – and in – Kent Street. I felt nervous. Would these people shout at me? My clothes, my demeanour, even the way I walk screamed that I’m an outsider. All the trucks were aglow in the late evening mist, idling to maintain warmth, but all with ominously dark interiors. Standing in the middle of the convoy, I felt completely alone as though these giant monsters weren’t piloted by people but were instead autonomous transformer robots from some science fiction universe that had gone into recharging mode for the night. As I moved along I started to notice smatterings of people grouped together between the cabs sharing cigarettes or enjoying light laughs. I kept quiet and moved on. Nearby, I spotted a heavy duty pickup truck, and seeing the silhouette of a person in the driver’s seat, I waved. A young man, probably in his mid 20s, rolled down the window, said hello and I introduced myself. His girlfriend was reclined against the passenger side door with a pillow to prop her up as she watched a movie on her phone. I could easily tell it’s been an uncomfortable few nights. I asked how they felt and I told them I lived across the street. Immediate surprise washed over the young man’s face. He said, “You must hate us. But no one honks past 6pm!” That’s true. As someone who lives right on top of the convoy, there is no noise at night. I said, “No, I don’t hate anyone, but I wanted to find out about you.” The two were from Sudbury Ontario, having arrived on Friday with the bulk of the truckers. I ask what they hoped to achieve, and what they wanted. The young woman in the passenger seat moved forward, excited to share. They said that they didn’t want a country that forced people to get medical treatments such as vaccines. There was no hint of conspiracy theories in their conversation with me, not a hint of racist overtones or hateful demagoguery. I didn’t ask them if they had taken the vaccine, but they were adamant that they were not anti-vaxers.
The next man I ran into was standing in front of the big trucks at the head of the intersection. Past middle age and slightly rotund, he had a face that suggests a lifetime of working outdoors. I introduced myself and he told me he was from Cochrane, Ontario. He also proudly pointed out that he was the block captain who helped maintain order. I thought, oh no, he might be the one person keeping a lid on things; is it all that precarious? I delicately asked how hard his job was to keep the peace but I quickly learned that’s not really what he did. He organized the garbage collection among the cabs, put together snow removal crews to shovel the sidewalks and clear the snow that accumulates on the road. He even has a salting crew for the sidewalks. He proudly bellowed in an irrepressible laugh “We’re taking care of the roads and sidewalks better than the city.” I waved goodbye and continued to the next block.
My next encounter was with a man dressed in dark blue shop-floor coveralls. A wiry man of upper middle age, he seemed taciturn and stood a bit separated from the small crowd that formed behind his cab for a late night smoke. He hailed from the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. He owned his own rig, but he only drove truck occasionally, his main job being a self-employed heavy duty mechanic. He closed his shop to drive to Ottawa, because he said, “I don’t want my new granddaughter to live in a country that would strip the livelihood from someone for not getting vaccinated.” He introduced me to the group beside us. A younger crowd, I can remember their bearded faces, from Athabasca, Alberta, and Swift Current Saskatchewan. The weather had warmed, and it began to rain slightly, but they too were excited to tell me why they came to Ottawa. They felt that they needed to stand up to a government that doesn’t understand what their lives are like. To be honest, I don’t know what their lives are like either – a group of young men who work outside all day with tools that they don’t even own. Vaccine mandates are a bridge too far for them. But again, not a hint of anti-vax conspiracy theories or deranged ideology.
I made my way back through the trucks, my next stop leading me to a man of East Indian descent in conversation with a young man from Sylvan Lake, Alberta. They told me how they were following the news of O’Toole’s departure from the Conservative leadership and that they didn’t like how in government so much power has pooled into so few hands.
The rain began to get harder; I moved quickly through the intersection to the next block. This time I waved at a driver in one of the big rigs. Through the rain it was hard to see him, but he introduced himself, an older man, he had driven up from New Brunswick to lend his support. Just behind him some young men from Gaspésie, Quebec introduced themselves to me in their best English. At that time people started to notice me – this man from Ottawa who lives across the street – just having honest conversations with the convoy. Many felt a deep sense of abuse by a powerful government and that no one thinks they matter.
Behind the crowd from Gaspésie sat a stretch van, the kind you often see associated with industrial cleaners. I could see the shadow of a man leaning out from the back as he placed a small charcoal BBQ on the sidewalk next to his vehicle. He introduced himself and told me he was from one of the reservations on Manitoulin Island. Here I was in conversation with an Indigenous man who was fiercely proud to be part of the convoy. He showed me his medicine wheel and he pointed to its colours, red, black, white, and yellow. He said there is a message of healing in there for all the human races, that we can come together because we are all human. He said, “If you ever find yourself on Manitoulin Island, come to my reserve, I would love to show you my community.” I realized that I was witnessing something profound; I don’t know how to fully express it.
As the night wore on and the rain turned to snow, those conversations repeated themselves. The man from Newfoundland with his bullmastiff, a young couple from British Columbia, the group from Winnipeg that together form what they call “Manitoba Corner ” all of them with similar stories. At Manitoba Corner a boisterous heavily tattooed man spoke to me from the cab of his dually pickup truck – a man who had a look that would have fit right in on the set of some motorcycle movie – pointed out that there are no symbols of hate in the convoy. He said, “Yes there was some clown with a Nazi flag on the weekend, and we don’t know where he’s from, but I’ll tell you what, if we see anyone with a Nazi flag or a Confederate flag, we’ll kick his fucking teeth in. No one’s a Nazi here.” Manitoba Corner all gave a shout out to that.
As I finally made my way back home, after talking to dozens of truckers into the night, I realized I met someone from every province except PEI. They all have a deep love for this country. They believe in it. They believe in Canadians. These are the people that Canada relies on to build its infrastructure, deliver its goods, and fill the ranks of its military in times of war. The overwhelming concern they have is that the vaccine mandates are creating an untouchable class of Canadians. They didn’t make high-falutin arguments from Plato’s Republic, Locke’s treatises, or Bagehot’s interpretation of Westminster parliamentary systems. Instead, they see their government willing to push a class of people outside the boundaries of society, deny them a livelihood, and deny them full membership in the most welcoming country in the world; and they said enough. Last night I learned my new neighbours are not a monstrous faceless occupying mob. They are our moral conscience reminding us – with every blow of their horns – what we should have never forgotten: We are not a country that makes an untouchable class out of our citizens.
Thank you for not allowing others to tell you who’s in your neighborhood, and instead finding out first hand, they are truly your neighbors, your fellow countrymen.. I pray this all ends with a solution that heals the division being driven!
Thank you for taking the time and effort to get to know your neighbours and sharing what is really going on in your neighbourhood. This is important for all of us to know as the mainstream media outlets and liberal government have painted a very different picture for Canadians than you have… one of anger, hate, divisiveness and that the convoy is tearing up your backyard in the worst way.
If only the elected ones would walk a mile in your shoes. They owe it to us.
Extremely well said. God bless you
That made me tear
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for writing what you experienced
🇨🇦❤️🇨🇦
Thank you so much for your beautifully written words and for taking the time to listen and report on this amazing movement for freedom choice when it comes to our bodily autonomy. Thanks sooooo much!
Thanks for sharing what we have all witnessed with our own eyes when we went to the Hill. Same experience, Canadians from all over Canada taking a stand, peacefully for the most important thing we have – our God given freedoms protected in the Supreme law of our land.
Nice to see a person being open with the intent to know and not with the intent on telling others just how things need to happen based on THEIR opinions.
Very well said! Thankyou.
Thank you so very much Reformed Physicist!!
This was written from your heart. It will strike a chord in many. If this letter could make it to am MSM editor Any major newspaper!
Or can we copy and paste this sending it to our MLA’s. Ottawa Chief of Police, PM’s office.
Grateful for your kindness, integrity and honesty.
I wonder if the people that work night shifts, particularly health care workers who need to sleep before 6 pm have problems with air horns that blast prior 6 pm? What about patients coming out of surgery in daytime hours, the elderly in fragile health; do they find air horns nondisruptive? What about infants who require sleep, school children, and people, in general, who require a sense of quiet, or at least something less than an air horn, to simply think? Indeed, if the air horns were not meant to be disruptive, antagonistic, and self-serving, they would not be the chosen weapon, so why not consider the rights of the people mentioned and show them some respect?
I agree…… and if government showed these truckers any respect and actually met with them instead of trying to spin it, the truckers would probably be left by now.
Answer this question honestly, if something very important to you, something that affected your core beliefs and your ability to provide for your family…. was taken away from you, would you not do everything in your power to remedy the situation?
Right on ,,,I agree I worked in hospitals all my life and shift work is a requirement for nurses, maintenance ,and many other jobs nobody thinks about that keep hospitals and nursing homes running
Well said!
THANK YOU for raising awareness about these wonderful people.
Ian from BC.
Thanks for this! Well written, beautiful imagery, strong Canadian themes. I enjoyed it very much.
Well written
Thanks for taking the time to enlighten everyone.
Bill
Peterborough Ont.
Thank you so much for this article. Although, not in Ottawa, or anywhere else, with his fellow truckers, my husband is a trucker and stands behind his fellow hard working members of the trucking world. This article is so awesome and to hear the awesome comments you’ve made about your observations, is so so so reassuring to me. I spend a lot of time at home alone, he’s almost 70 and still trucking up and down the roads of North America. I just want to say thank you to you for all that you have shared here. Some of the ‘guys’ can sometimes be a little ‘rough around the edges’, but 99% of them are justing out there trying to support their families and would very much like to treated the way they deserve to be treated, as the stand up Canadians that they are.
I’m from Mexico, came to Canada 14 years ago, since all this started I immediately understood where we were heading, people thought I was a conspiracy theorist, this could never happen here. But now I feel joy seeing all this people fighting for the rights and freedom for all, young, old, born canadians, new canadians. I feel so proud to be part of it.
Kudo’s! Nothing like getting good first hand description of the people standing up for all Canadians. Somewhere is said that “The Meek Shall enherit the Earth.” Today, I would say that doesn’t hold true. Thank god we have people who are not meek. You can be good and still be a warrior. I see everyone standing up for freedom and I thank you for reporting on it truthfully. I live in Arizona, USA.
Thank you so much for having the courage to go beyond your comfort zone to talk to the people who have congregated in Ottawa. I have always been so proud to call myself a Canadian and before I read your research I felt ashamed. You have shared a reassuring story, and I can again feel so much love and pride for our fellow Canadians. I wish the convoy the best of luck and now I understand what, who and why they are gathering in Ottawa. God Bless you and our fellow Canadians!
Your article is beautiful. It is exactly what the so called news should be reporting.
Thank you for taking the time to get the real information and putting it so well into words.
The whole story is sad. We should not be here. Our elected “leaders” have failed us. They tried to use this pandemic as a way to either get re-elected, elected, or to slander and discredit someone else. By making it political they lost what little trust we had.
So here we are today, over 2 years later. Still fighting a virus we were told would take two weeks…
Beautiful. I was there as well. Thank you for going out and seeing for yourself what these humans are about. More need to do this ❤
I enjoyed your article very much, thank you for your honesty.
Very nicely written piece, with balance. A big issue right now with media and social media is that we have become tribal, we pick a side and then only listen to the channels that re-enforce how we are feeling. As is often true, there is truth out there, somewhere in the middle of all the extreme messaging on both sides.
My bigger concern is how society has lost trust. We don’t trust government, we don’t trust doctors, we don’t trust the police, and we are losing trust in our institutions. I feel like the convoy and their message got hijacked. I think they have a message but now they are not sure what constitutes successfully delivering that message. I do also worry about escalation on both sides. Where is success?
And finally, what about democracy. To make change, become involved, get elected, represent the people. I think when you protest, you make sure your elected official hears your voice and represents your community. A protest that turns in occupation is an attempt to bypass democracy. If you don’t like your elected official, put this same level of effort in electing an official that represents you and your community.
The protest got the message out, now take that message and ensure the elected officials include it in their platform, if not, elect someone else. Show the world that Canada has the strongest democracy and we use it to make change.
Thank you very much for writing this article showing that we are all just humans wanting to live free with a choice. I love that you went down and talked to people, questioned them as well as just listened.
Thank you David for sharing your experiences and insights. You provide a perspective that is missing from the mainstream media. However, I find your conclusions quite puzzling. You state that “they see their government willing to push a class of people outside the boundaries of society, deny them a livelihood, and deny them full membership in the most welcoming country in the world; and they said enough.”
There are many regions of the world where the lockdowns are much more strict than Canada and many areas where vaccines are simply not available.
Here in Canada, vaccines have been and are readily available. Book on line, go to the clinic, roll up your sleeve – repeat two or three times – done! No fuss, no muss, no cost to the individual. As a result of the efforts of the Government of Canada, as well as the provinces and territories, Canada has one of the highest vaccination rates on the planet, including 90% of the truckers.
I am struggling to understand how it is that this has been translated into somehow being exclusionary. Membership in the “class of people” you describe is voluntary and involves the individual choice to not accept the gifts that science developed, the taxpayers funded, and the government distributed. No one has “pushed them outside the boundaries of society”, they have drawn the boundaries themselves and then chosen to step outside of them. Does it not seem a little bit unreasonable and profoundly illogical to be protesting against conditions that were created by their own choices? I have heard many of the protesters shout the slogan “my body, my choice”. Life is all about choices, but choices have consequences. No one is forcing the vaccine on them, but in making the choice to not get vaccinated, should they not be prepared to accept the consequences of that decision, rather than disrupting the lives of other Canadians who made the decision to get vaccinated?
Please read A Pound of Flesh Nearest the Heart. The issue here centres on positive externalities and effect size matters. And in addition, as Ronald Coase taught us in The Problem of Social Cost – externalities are bilateral.
I am speechless David. I felt each and every word you spoke, with each and every step I took, as you walked me through your night and time spent with The Freedom Convoy. Makes me proud that you took it upon yourself to find out the truth and not through the media. We want our Canada back, as we were in the past and as we want to be in the future, if not for you or me but for our kids. We want them to be proud to be Canadian as we once were…Just wish I could have taken that walk with you, my friend. All the best, from The Rock.
Beautiful, thank you – we wept in appreciation.
Hi David – I was sent your blog from someone who was offended by my write-up when I did something similar, I’ve now spent 4 hours speaking to about 30 of the protesters. I didn’t see an attempt in your write-up to find a solution to the issue – may be your take was ‘let them be’?
I went into with a goal, to find a solution to the problem of why the people there are pushing back on getting a vaccine that 4.8 billion people have and 30 million in Canada. It’s perplexing and I have a need to understand when something does not make sense.
While I don’t have a full solution what I came to was a clear understanding of the issue, lack of trust and no sense of civic responsibility.
Interested on your take if you would agree or have reached a different conclusion.
https://twitter.com/Adam_crain_ott/status/1489654665109295105
When you replace judgment with curiosity, everything changes.
Well said David.
Well said I’m glad that everyone is respectful. It’s people like you that make a difference in this world. A simple act of truth .
I’m a Californian and I don’t have a dog in your fight but I am curious about your summation. You identify lack of trust and no sense of civic responsibility as the problem.
Do you mean that the protestors lack trust in the government that seems to lack a sense of responsibility to the people or do you mean that the government doesn’t trust the people because the people have a different idea of what their civic responsibilities actually are?
I find it interesting that you say lack of civic responsibility. Have you considered the views of Canadians that support this movement that have done their civic duty to get vaccinated and are still wondering when they can freely move in and out of Canadian and refuse to use their “passport” to fly, go into restaurants, etc. I am a fully vaccinated RN for instance that is absolutely against the use of QR codes, coercion for vaccines, etc. There is such a distrust in healthcare and mandates such as these only worsen that. I don’t want to participate in a QR program that marginalize others who for whatever reason chose not to vaccinate (or can’t be vaccinated) especially after many provincial leaders said they wouldn’t utilize these measures because they are marginalizing and now here we are.
What a wonderful, articulate article of who we are. Canadians from every corner of the country. Thank you for taking the time to get to know your neighbour’s and report the truth. God bless you.xo
I really believe most people are well intentioned. We all want to believe what seems tyrannical & extreme is deeply rooted in a honest & rightful cause, because if you don’t, you already live in a world you don’t like. I appreciate the courage & human interest to discover what’s “really going on” with these protests, but it’s important to remember that during this “occupation” the tax paying citizens are the ones suffering. Don’t mask your goal of “bringing down the government” or “forcing the government’s hand” or expressing your refusal to get vaccines or wear masks with such naïveté & callous disregard for your fellow Canadians. We all live here together – if you don’t want to wear a mask – don’t… if you don’t want to get vaccinated… don’t… but don’t force all those who have to hate you by dividing us. This is not a new concept. People don’t always agree … it’s what Democracy is about & what it’s built on – but believing your opinion is the ONLY opinion is a very dangerous perspective. Maybe try to look at things that many people believe were perhaps created for the greater good & success for our communities. Maybe try to be part of the solution & understand that most people have empathy & faith & just because we don’t agree with you, doesn’t mean you are not recognized or appreciated.
Thank you so much for this incredibly sane and honest portrayal. I have family in the area and this is their experience as well. I am so grateful to these truckers for standing up for themselves and, by extension, all of us. Bless us all. The ones who man the front lines, the ones who feed and support the front lines, and the ones who take the time to find out the truth, and then tell us. So grateful.
What a sensitive and beautiful piece of writing. I was very touched by your interest in doing your own research and facing what some would never do considering the media they have so far received. I’ve been involved in political battles and I know how draining, frustrating and often futile it feels especially when the media ignores your plight. I hope your piece receives a lot of reads.
Spectacular story. Thank you so much for sharing what mainstream media is missing.
Thank you kindly for sharing a perspective we knew existed. If more people could be willing to push past their comfort zones perhaps real journalism could exist. Well written- thank you from a BC resident who believes in the human right to choose.
Thanku so much for your article. I wish the truth would come out.
Thank you David. What you have written down will speak volumes if people take the time to read it. I am a 82 year old grandmother and I cannot go to Ottawa but I can share the messages, I can pray for the truckers, the other Canadians who support them, and for people like you who have the guts to tell the truth especially when it goes against all the untruths that are spreading about this convoy. May God Bless You for taking the time, and to speaking out.
Thank you so much for sharing. The news, doesn’t matter which one, is so negative and harmful. We need more posts like this to state the reality.
You said you talked to someone from every province but PEI. I am PEI born and raised, and know many others from there who are against vaccine mandates, including George Bears, the president and co-founder of Taking Back Our Freedoms (chairman is Brian Peckford, former premier of NL). Thank you for your careful reporting of this event.
Great observations and straight forward honesty.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to concerned Canadians, that’s the way we learn. You are very WISE.
Thank-you
From Vernon BC Your eveni9ng walk to meet your new neighbors, excited me to see a resident, that had put up with honking horns. Your mind was open with no pre formed thoughts. Your writing of your night and talking to other Canadians, made me feel like I was along for the walk. For the first since October 15, 2015,I felt good and proud to be a Canadian again. Thank you for sharing your evening walk with us. Bob Vernon BC
It warms my heart to think that somebody took the time and interest to speak to those who stand firm with their convictions. You see, this is the problem . . . so few have done what you have done . . . enter into a conversation with them! Take time to listen! Take time to understand! If more people (like the politicians) had taken the time right up front, the situation may have de-escalated very soon, because, in listening, there is room to understand! Bless your heart!
Thank you for being one of those who are not afraid to report the truth. So many people calling the convoy a bunch of terrorists and trouble-makers when nothing could be further from the truth. I grew up on a cattle ranch on the border due west of Coutts/Sweetgrass and 68 years later live only an hour away. I work with truckers on a daily basis (when I’m not home recovering from a broken ankle) and I can safely say that truckers are true Canadians and Americans who just want a fair deal. And deserve one. Thanks again…
George Stringam
You are an eloquent writer. Thank you. Those people are true Canadians in every sense of the word. Out in the cold to help others. The sad part is the “Others” are led to believe they are monsters. I wish more residents would come forward with their stories. Stay well and thank you again.
Many thanks and much love to the truckers
and all who care about truth and freedom.
Stay free. Turn off the TV.
Thank you for your honest, open-minded report on this. I believe the truckers have the best interests of all Canadians at heart & have created a wonderful defining moment in Canadian history. May God keep our land glorious and free. 🇨🇦
Thank you David! Was such a enlightening read! I’m going to share with everyone I know! There is so much misunderstanding about this and you going down and actually chatting with the people this should really open a lot of eyes and understand what is really happening!
Thank you for this. Thank you for a real account of what is going on. I see what you saw through videos of those on the ground – the kids playing, the food going to everyone, the singing and dancing and hand holding.
I can’t say a word or I’ve been told I will lose my job and as it pays for my daughter’s insulin I can’t afford to do that.
So I will just say thank you for showing the truth where the media has deserted it.
This is a hard subject, if you voice your opinion you are placed in a box, yes or no puts you in that box. We are bombarded with information. Who’s telling us the truth? I like what you had to say, I only hope it’s the truth and nothing but the truth. I think we are all tired of a one sided story. The news tells us that the honking goes on all night, yet you write that the honking quits in the early evening. I seriously do not believe anything I hear on the news anymore. I think we are being told a story that we are suppose to hear – so we buy in. So we all go quietly.
David,
Thank you for a well written account of your late evening sojourn down Kent Avenue, and thank you for having the curiosity and fortitude to embark on what could have been a very different story if what we are hearing on main stream media were to be true.
I forwarded the link to your blog to the CBC morning show here in Calgary. The hosts David Gray and Angela Knight are people that I think bring a balanced perspective to daily events in and around our city. I hope that they do reach out to you.
All the best.
Im a veteran and support peaceful protest anytime anywhere in this country. That being said I am not for or against this particular protest. Like you I wonder about the media take on things. I daily read the Peak and follow David Akin from Global. Both are well balanced and show no bias. I am also First Nations and our experiences during protests are normally worse. We are demonized, called terrorists and cursed at when we block roads and train tracks in support of our cause. The military has been called out to end some of our protests. I hope when this is all over that folks will look at us differently when we are out protesting.
Hi, I’m born an raised outside of Edmonton…I’ve lived in Boston and now Vancouver for many years. This article is touching and is so important to hear…I’m sharing it wide, and people are responding! Thank you for your courage and your voice!! Much love from Vancouver, BC. Hang in there protesters…we’re with you!
Thank you David for taking the time to interact with these people and discover that they are not as many of the media and politicians are portraying them.
The truth will prevail.
I am in tears as I read this. Way to go, David, and thank you for sharing this important message.
I am sharing this as far and wide as I can. Your honesty is incredibly refreshing and will bring the truth to the surface despite the deluge of negativity and untruths being reported surrounding this whole situation. I appreciate you taking the time to meet with and actually talk to these fellow Canadians. You are part of the voice of reason in Ottawa right now. I sincerely hope that more people like you will come forward and a peaceful solution can be found.
wonderful comments
Thank you, David for sharing your glimpse into the people of the convoy. Such a breath of fresh air to hear what’s really happening. Thank you Truckers for standing up for the freedom and rights of all Canadians. You are our true Heros!