Convoy meets at Saskatchewan-U.S. border in solidarity with Ottawa protest

A convoy of at least a dozen semi-trucks and dozens of other vehicles met at the border between Saskatchewan and the United States in solidarity with the ongoing protests that have lasted for weeks in Ottawa. 

The nation's capital is entering its third weekend of disruption as demonstrators continue to call for an end to COVID-19 measures. The protests have led Ontario to declare a state of emergency. 

The Saskatchewan convoy trickled through a few RCMP and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol check stops on their way to the border, parking in a plot of land within a stone's throw of the crossing. By about 3 p.m. it had become a crowd.

Lane Burgess, a trucker who helped organize the Saskatchewan solidarity convoy, was glad to see the large turnout.

"People are still feeling like the government overreach in Ottawa has gone too far and this is, to many of us, this is as close to the federal building as we're able to afford and get to," Burgess said. 

He said a similar convoy coming from the opposing side of the border crossing, in Montana, was the inspiration for Saturday's event.

Ryan Mitchell, an organizer involved in the convoy in the United States, said they're supporting both the Ottawa protests and the convoy in Saskatchewan.

But, if participants go into the border area, block traffic or display offensive flags which have been photographed at the Ottawa protest, they will be asked to leave, he said.

"Just gathering to show support to our Canadian neighbours," Mitchell said. 

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Canadian Anti-Hate Network chair Bernie Farber, who is the son of Holocaust survivors, says people can have opposing views when it comes to health care, but Ottawa's protest convoy was taken over by 'extremists with an agenda.'

Mitchell said he was born and raised in Minton, Sask., and hasn't seen some members of his family in the past two years. He blames the border restrictions.

Holding the province to its commitment 

Burgess said the convoy is also calling for the provincial government to keep its word and lift mandates, though he expects the province will follow through.

"There's a little bit of mistrust in all forms of government and everybody just wants to make sure that they remember that we're still here," said Burgess, a resident of Big Beaver, Sask. "Until changes actually happen we'll be here and we're going to be voicing our opinions."

Tamela Burgess, a participant and the mother to Lane Burgess, said she doesn't feel these mandates are needed anymore.

"[Moe] has announced that he is going to lift our mandates; but he lifted our mask mandate too and a week later he put it back on," she said.

"Until we get these things lifted off of us, and our lives back to normal, we're not really trusting of our political parties."

Authorities wary of blockades

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe posted a statement to Twitter on Friday stating he respects the right to protest, even to ensure the province removes restrictions, but asked it be done peacefully and without blockading border crossings. 

Saskatchewan RCMP said in an email Friday that demonstrations may interrupt the normal flow of traffic, but they intend to restore the flow "in the safest manner possible."

Shortly after noon on Saturday, RCMP and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol officers were posted in two positions about seven and 16 kilometres from the border crossing. 

The Canadian Border Services Agency said in an email Saturday it monitors and is ready to respond to any event that impedes operations at the ports of entry into Canada.

"It is an offence under the Customs Act to hinder the ability of a border services [officer] while they conduct their work," it said.

The agency pointed to their social media accounts for updates on incidents. As of Saturday evening, there were no updates regarding the Regway port of entry.

'What's the hurry?'

Meanwhile, in Saskatoon, an opposing protest calling for Saskatchewan to reconsider lifting restrictions in the province gathered outside Health Minister Paul Merriman's office.

Christine Freethy, one of two primary organizers, said it's too early to remove the mandates and is ignoring expert advice.

"It seems like this is an extremely political decision rather than one based in public health," she said.

Dr. Carla Holinaty, a family physician in Saskatoon, told CBC News on Friday that hospitalization numbers remain high and resources are stretched thin.

"I really hope people can continue doing those easy, simple measures to protect each other, at least until we've got a little bit more capacity within our system to deal with people when they get sick," Holinaty said.

Freethy doesn't think the provincial government understands the "level of disgust and disappointment that people in the province have with the way they are currently managing the pandemic." 

"What's the hurry to remove these measures when the hospitals are completely ready to crack from COVID patients?" Freethy said.