Theo Fleury applauds truckers on Fox News, says they’ve “ignited the whole country”

Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
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Theo Fleury applauds truckers on Fox News, says they’ve “ignited the whole country”

Canadian hockey legend and Olympic gold medalist Theo Fleury spoke in support of the Truckers for Freedom Convoy on Fox News’s The Ingraham Angle on Wednesday.

During the interview, Fleury blasted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for ignoring the broader concerns of Canadians and focusing solely on COVID shots despite Canada having some of the highest vaccination rates in the world. 

“He doesn’t talk about the economy, he doesn’t talk about the supply chain, he doesn’t talk about us losing our rights, lockdowns, nothing,” said Fleury. 

“It’s just straight vaccines, but what’s happening is right now in Canada we have one of the biggest revolutions happening and you probably haven’t heard about it because nobody’s talking about it. But right now, there’s 50,000 truckers and about 1.4 million people headed to the parliament in Ottawa, and they’re going to stay there until Trudeau resigns or they give us back all of our freedom and rights.” 

Fleury also blasted Trudeau for his divisive tactics, which include labeling protestors as extremists and Canada’s unvaccinated men, women and children as “racists and misogynists.” 

“When you separate people, it’s easy to create power through separation,” said Fleury. “But like I said, what we’re seeing in the country right now with these truckers, honestly it has ignited the whole entire country of Canada.” 

“The thing about Canadians is that eventually our long, long fuse burns out, and that’s where we are in the country. Everybody wants change, and we definitely want to have an impact with this movement or revolution, whatever you want to call it. We want change to happen.”

Speaking from Calgary, Fleury observed how a vast majority of office buildings in the city have remained unoccupied as the region struggles to support an oil industry embattled partly due to Trudeau’s anti-energy policies.

“We went from this incredibly bustling, amazing place to people losing their jobs,” he said. “We’ve had a lockdown, we’ve had all these things. For me, I’ve played ten times for my country, and I put my jersey on and had the maple leaf on, and I know I was representing the people of Canada, and I can tell you that what is happening in the country right now it’s way bigger than that.” 

The convoy has announced it will arrive in Ottawa on Saturday, though Ottawa Police have said that parts of it may reach the capital as early as tomorrow. The convoy protest was triggered by the Liberal government’s decision to reinstate a vaccine mandate for cross-border truck drivers although the movement has since broadened to include calls for an end to COVID restrictions throughout Canada. 

Recap of Day 4 of Truckers for Freedom Convoy across Canada

Harrison Faulkner
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Recap of Day 4 of Truckers for Freedom Convoy across Canada

On Day 4 of the Truckers for Freedom Convoy, the Western fleet began rolling through Ontario, the Eastern fleet headed across Nova Scotia and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attacked the movement as a “small, fringe minority.”

Speaking at a press conference today, Trudeau continued to divide Canadians by labelling the truckers a “small, fringe minority” holding “unacceptable views.” 

The large Western fleet of truckers began making their way through Northern Ontario, passing through Kenora, Dryden and Thunder Bay. 

Early on Wednesday, supporters of the convoy can be seen lining the side of the road in Kenora, Ontario.

Here, truckers can be seen lined up bumper-to-bumper in Dryden, Ontario.

By the end of day, truckers had reached Thunder Bay, met with massive crowds and loud cheers. 

In Southern Ontario, truckers continue to do “slow roll” protests near the border as they get set to depart for Ottawa at 5:30 tomorrow morning. 

This is what the scene looked like yesterday. 

On the East Coast, the large fleet of truckers from Newfoundland made their way into Nova Scotia. Huge crowds lined overpasses welcoming them into North Sydney.

This was the scene earlier today.

As Conservative MPs continued to show support for the truckers, legacy media outlets including Global News, the National Post and the CBC published articles smearing the peaceful protestors as “white-nationalists” and “far-right,” even going as far as to call them “domestic terrorists.” 

However, as True North’s Cosmin Dzsurdzsa reported, legacy media journalists have paid no attention to the vitriol spread by the convoy’s opponents using the #FluTruxKlan hashtag. Opponents of the Ottawa-bound convoy often used threats of violence themselves, as well as words like “vermin,” “plague rats,” “dirty,” “white trash” and other abhorrent terms.

The GoFundMe in support of the truckers at the time this article was published has reached $5,725,560.

Trudeau calls convoy a “small fringe minority” who hold “unacceptable views”

Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
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Trudeau calls convoy a “small fringe minority” who hold “unacceptable views”

As the Truckers for Freedom Convoy closes in on Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called the movement and its supporters a “small fringe minority” with “unacceptable views.” 

Trudeau made the comments on Wednesday at a press conference. 

“The small fringe minority of people who are on their way to Ottawa are holding unacceptable views that they’re expressing, do not represent the views of Canadians who have been there for each other who know that following the science and stepping up to protect each other is the best way to continue to ensure our freedoms, rights, and values as a country,” Trudeau told reporters. 

Trudeau’s comments come amidst a legacy media campaign painting the hundreds of thousands of truckers and their supporters as racists and extremists. 

A number of recent mainstream media articles have cherry-picked bad actors unrepresentative of the convoy’s peaceful protest, claiming that the movement is made up of “white nationalists,” the “far-right” and “domestic terrorists.”

Leaders of the convoy have worked hard to distance themselves from such figures, stating that those with extremist views would not be welcome to join them in Ottawa. 

Trudeau has also used similar language in the past. In a recently resurfaced interview with a Quebec talk show in September, the prime minister called millions of unvaccinated Canadians “racists and misogynists.” 

“They are extremists who don’t believe in science, they’re often misogynists, also often racists. It’s a small group that muscles in, and we have to make a choice in terms of leaders, in terms of the country. Do we tolerate these people?” said Trudeau. 

The convoy began in response to the federal Liberal government’s vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers but has since grown to oppose COVID restrictions across Canada. 

Under the new rules, unvaccinated truck drivers who were once considered essential workers will be turned around at the Canada-US border. US President Joe Biden has implemented a similar mandate.    

Since the mandate has gone into effect, Canadian trucking companies have reported a shortage of drivers willing to go on the road. 

Bison Transport, one of Canada’s largest trucking companies, reports it has lost nearly 10% of its employees due to the federal government’s decision. 

Prior to the mandate, trucking groups warned that it could lead to a shortage of goods across Canada and worsen the country’s already strained supply chain. 

Anti-convoy hashtag dehumanizes truckers as “vermin, plague rats, white trash”

Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
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Anti-convoy hashtag dehumanizes truckers as “vermin, plague rats, white trash”

While overwhelming support for the Truckers for Freedom Convoy has poured in from across Canada, a malicious hashtag seeking to delegitimize the movement is exposing the deep hatred some opponents have for the convoy.

#FluTruxKlan has become a popular banner for those opposed to the hundreds of thousands of truckers and their supporters who are calling for an end to COVID-19 mandates and the deterioration of rights at the hands of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 

True North has found that in their attempts to accuse truckers of violence and racism, opponents of the Ottawa-bound convoy often used threats of violence themselves, as well as words like “vermin,” “plague rats,” “dirty,” “white trash” and other abhorrent terms.

The hashtag also showed signs of bot activity, with 33 accounts created in January, 256 accounts having fewer than 50 followers and 121 accounts following fewer than 50 users.

Twitter users who have levelled these accusations against their fellow Canadians have been egged on by legacy media reports painting the Freedom Convoy as so-called “white nationalists,” “far-right” and “domestic terrorists.” 

Mainstream journalists have paid no attention to the vitriol spread by the convoy’s opponents, but this hasn’t stopped them from cherry-picking a few bad actors who have used the peaceful protest to spread extremist ideas.

Convoy leaders have also distanced themselves from radicals seeking to attach themselves to the protest, claiming that those with extremist views are not welcome and should stay home. 

Threats of violence, calls for arrest of peaceful protestors

Threats of violence against truckers and their supporters are common among the anti-convoy crowd. Some have called for authorities to arrest them, for heavy fines and for truckers to lose their livelihoods.

One woman using the hashtag explained how she taught he children to “punch Nazi’s” (sic) and those “espousing similar values” as the Freedom Convoy supporters. 

Racist and dehumanizing language

Racist terms such as “white trash” made a frequent appearance.  Meanwhile, other Twitter users resorted to dehumanizing terms such as “vermin” and “ plague rats” to describe their fellow Canadians.

Others called the freedom protestors “revolting humans” and “disgusting creatures” for opposing vaccine mandates and the deterioration of human rights. One Twitter user even called the truckers “dirty, and gross and a biosecurity risk.” 

Accusations of treason and terrorism

Egged on by media reports comparing the convoy to the Jan. 6 United States Capitol attack, those who employed the #FluTruxKlan hashtag have also accused truckers and their supporters of being treasonous and engaging in domestic terrorism.

Ontario and Quebec youths placed under terrorism peace bonds

Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
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Ontario and Quebec youths placed under terrorism peace bonds

The RCMP has taken two youths into custody under terrorism peace bonds over suspected connections to ISIS. 

The separate arrests took place in Quebec and Ontario on Dec. 8, 2021 and Jan. 14, 2022, respectively. 

Details on the investigation are scant, as both suspects are minors. Names and ages are not being provided, and a publication ban is in effect. 

RCMP has not said whether the two arrests, nearly a month apart, were related.

A spokesperson with the Mounties has said that the Toronto Integrated and National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) had received intelligence that prompted one of the arrests “based on reasonable grounds to fear that a person may commit a terrorist offence.” 

“Given that the investigation is ongoing, and it involves a young person, we are not able to release further information at this time,” a spokesperson told Global News. 

As for the suspect in Quebec, the youth was released by a judge “with numerous conditions and ordered the presence of the young person at the next court date,” according to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.

The minor will appear in court next on March 28. 

Terrorism peace bonds are preventive measures used by law enforcement when they suspect that a terrorism crime might be committed. 

Under the bonds, courts can impose a number of conditions including travel bans, restrictions on cellular and internet use, barring associations with certain individuals and even tracking bracelets. 

Neither suspect has been charged with any terrorism-related offence. 

Authorities are also working on obtaining a terrorism peace bond involving a woman who returned from Syria after joining ISIS. According to her lawyer, the woman is being investigated for alleged war crimes and terrorism. No charges have yet been introduced. 

This is not the first time that a minor has been taken into custody over security concerns. In January 2019, police arrested an underaged Kingston resident after receiving a tip from the FBI.

Upon searching a residence, police discovered bomb-making materials. The youth in question was charged with planning to “deliver, place, discharge or detonate an explosive or other lethal devices against a place of public use with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury.”

The suspect entered a guilty plea in relation to the charges. 

FUREY: Will Canadians be able to handle a return to normal?

Anthony Furey
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FUREY: Will Canadians be able to handle a return to normal?

As other countries begin dropping their public health restrictions, it’s just a matter of time before Canada follows suit.

However, even now with a milder Omicron variant and high vaccine rates, some Canadians still have anxiety about COVID-19. Will these Canadians be able to handle a return to normal?

Anthony Furey discusses.

Ontario Teacher: We Have Betrayed Our Children

Candice Malcolm
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On today’s episode of The Candice Malcolm Show, Candice discusses a powerful opinion column written by an Ontario teacher on the devastating psychological toll lockdowns have been having on our children.

This is an incredibly important piece of journalism, and yet, it was barely noticed by the political class.

Plus, Candice gives an update on Freedom Convoy 2022, the increasing number of politicians throwing their support behind the movement, and the bad-faith attacks from the legacy media.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CANDICE MALCOLM SHOW

Donald Trump Jr. speaks in support of Canadian Truckers for Freedom convoy

Jonathan Bradley
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Former U.S. first son Donald Trump Jr. has praised Canadian truckers heading to Ottawa to protest vaccine mandates and other ongoing COVID-19 restrictions under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“When we push back against the insanity, we can win, and that’s how this all ends,” said Trump in a Facebook video on Tuesday. “This is a genius idea.” 

Trump said there need to be more protests like Freedom Convoy 2022 in the USA and other western democracies. He said what is going on when it comes to fighting COVID-19 is “absolutely insane.” 

Trump urged people to support the truckers, calling them patriots fighting for freedom and saying there have to be more people pushing back. 

Trump went on to say that U.S. President Joe Biden implemented a vaccine mandate for truckers crossing the Canada-US border to stop these types of social movements. He pointed out the hypocrisy of Biden not adopting a similar mandate at the US-Mexico border for non-truck drivers.

Trump said that the convoy’s 70-kilometre length is “amazing” and that the time has come to end all COVID-19 restrictions. 

“If we all take a similar and peaceful approach to doing it, we’ll get it done,” he said, adding that the science being used to support the restrictions “doesn’t seem to be based on anything resembling science.” 

Truck drivers from across Canada are participating in Freedom Convoy 2022, demanding that all vaccine mandates, lockdowns and other restrictions end. 

An email from convoy organizers obtained by True North said that truckers would be doing a “slow roll” from multiple border points on Jan. 23 and head towards Ottawa, where they are expected to arrive on Saturday. 

The vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers took effect on Jan. 15. It removed the existing exemptions for truckers from testing and quarantines, requiring they be fully vaccinated. 

The USA implemented a similar mandate on Saturday. These mandates have raised concerns in Canada and the USA because of potential supply chain problems. 

A growing number of Conservative MPs have spoken out in support of this protest as it heads towards Ottawa, among them Pierre Poilievre, Candice Bergen and Andrew Scheer. 

Conservative leader Erin O’Toole has dodged questions about whether he supports the convoy and whether he will meet with truckers once they arrive in Ottawa. 

Major grocery store chain confirms trucker vaccine mandate is increasing costs

Jonathan Bradley
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Major grocery store chain confirms trucker vaccine mandate is increasing costs

The CEO of a major grocery chain has admitted that the COVID vaccine requirement for cross-border truckers is raising the cost of shipping fresh foods to Canadian stores.

Metro CEO Eric La Fleche made the comments to analysts on a conference call Monday, according to Bloomberg. Metro has stores across Ontario and Quebec, including the popular Jean Coutu Group.

“We saw an uptick in transportation costs right away, but we’re getting the merchandise,” said La Fleche. 

The Omicron variant, said La Fleche, has been a major disruption to supply chains, delaying shipments and making it tougher for Metro managers to find enough employees to come to work.

He added that some of these pressures have been reduced because the Omicron variant appears to have peaked and because governments have reduced quarantine times for people exposed to COVID-19, which makes it easier for employees to return to work. 

Despite there being empty shelves, La Fleche said there has been “no real hoarding.” 

“There’s no panic in the stores,” he said. “I think consumers understand what’s happening after two years of pandemic.”

Metro said their calculation of food inflation in their stores was 3.5% in the last quarter, up from 2% in the previous quarter. 

Canada’s inflation rate for December was up 4.8% compared to last year, representing the highest the country has since seen 1991. Gas prices across Canada rose by more than 33% compared to last year’s figures while food prices have risen by about 5%. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers took effect on Jan. 15. It removed drivers’ existing exemptions from testing and quarantines, requiring that they be fully vaccinated. 

The current vaccination rate among Canadian truckers is estimated to be between 80% to 90%, suggesting the mandate has removed as many as 22,000 drivers from the road. Layoffs of truckers have started, which are expected to lead to major supply chain disruptions. 

Truck drivers from across Canada are currently on a convoy to Ottawa to protest the vaccine mandates and an erosion of freedoms under Trudeau’s response to COVID.

The Freedom Convoy is expected to reach the capital on Saturday. 

Former Newfoundland premier suing feds over air travel vaccine mandate

Andrew Lawton
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Former Newfoundland premier suing feds over air travel vaccine mandate

Forty years ago, Brian Peckford was one of the premiers involved in the development and adoption of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Now, he’s suing the federal government for violating that very Charter.

Peckford served as Newfoundland’s premier from 1979 to 1989, during which time he helped to negotiate and enact the Constitution Act of 1982. The Charter forms the first part of the Constitution.

Peckford is taking the federal government to court over its vaccine mandate for air travellers, arguing it violates section 6 of the Charter, which guarantees Canadians mobility within the country, as well as “the right to enter, remain in and leave Canada.”

The lawsuit also says the mandate infringes on the Charter rights to life, liberty and security of the person, as well as privacy rights and the right to freedom from discrimination.

Representing Peckford and the other applicants is Calgary-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF). The JCCF is seeking an expedited hearing given the time sensitivity of the claim. 

Last October, Justin Trudeau imposed a vaccination requirement to board a commercial plane or train in Canada, regardless of its destination. Now that the United States has imposed a vaccine mandate for its land border, unvaccinated Canadians are effectively denied the ability to travel abroad, even to countries without a vaccine requirement for entry.

Peckford is the lead applicant in the case, which is being filed in Federal Court.

“The federal travel ban has segregated me from other Canadians.  It’s discriminatory, violates my Charter rights and that’s why I am fighting the travel ban,” Peckford said. “It’s becoming more obvious that being vaccinated does not stop people from getting Covid and does not stop them from spreading it. The government has not shown that the policy makes flying safer – it simply discriminates.”

The JCCF says there are six million unvaccinated Canadians – 15% of the country’s population – prevented from air travel within or outside of Canada.

“Some of the Canadians involved in the lawsuit cannot travel to help sick loved ones, get to work, visit family and friends, take international vacations, and live ordinary lives,” the group says.

A release from the JCCF notes that Peckford is the last surviving drafter and signatory of the 1982 Constitution.

“I think this is rather historic,” Peckford said in an interview on True North’s The Andrew Lawton Show, which will be published Thursday. “I don’t know of any other first minister in the history of Canada who’s taken the federal government to court over something that first minister had a hand in creating and writing.” 

“Governments have moved more and more in the field of restricting individual rights and freedoms…. If we don’t win and (ensure) the Constitution and the Charter’s honoured this time around, this will establish a precedent which will dilute the power of the Charter next time around. It’s an erosion of our individual rights and freedoms.”

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