Canadian truckers protesting their government's cross-border vaccination mandate have won a decisive victory.
Earlier today, Alberta, Canada's most conservative province, conceded to the truckers' demands. Vaccine passports will end immediately. Meanwhile, most of Alberta's COVID-related restrictions will cease by the end of the month.
Watch one trucker's reaction:
As The Washington Times reports:
Jason Kenney, the premier of Alberta, announced Tuesday evening that the passport requirement to enter businesses in the province will end at 11:59 p.m. local time and most other restrictions will be gone in three steps over the next three weeks.
“Now is the time to begin learning to live with COVID,” Mr. Kenney said in a televised address. “These restrictions have led to terrible division.”
Kenney added that “We cannot remain at a heightened state of emergency forever. We have to begin to heal.”
Ottawa's Freedom Convoy has spread like wildfire throughout Canada. Protesters even temporarily shut down the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario. The international crossing handles 30% of the two-way annual trade between the United States and Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues to vilify the truckers. During an emergency session of parliament he called them “a few people shouting and waving swastikas.”
However, signs indicate that Trudeau's own party is starting to turn against him.
Liberal MP Joël Lightbound recently blasted Trudeau's response saying a calculated decision was “made to wedge, to divide and to stigmatize.”
Politico has more on Lightbound's remarks:
Joël Lightbound delivered the stunning, scathing assessment Tuesday in Ottawa with the big rigs of the so-called Freedom Convoy just outside the door. The convoy protests against Covid measures have grabbed global attention and paralyzed the Canada's capital city for more than a week.
“Both the tone and the policies of my government changed drastically on the eve and during the last election campaign,” said Lightbound, who convened a press conference to deliver his message. “A decision was made to wedge, to divide and to stigmatize. I fear that this politicization of the pandemic risks undermining the public's trust in our public health institutions.”
Canadian conservatives were even more pointed in their criticisms.
The Freedom Convoy has hunkered down in Ottawa for the past 12 days. Attempting to slow their momentum, police have seized fuel in Canada's capital city and a court has temporarily banned honking. However, the punitive measures haven't seemed to affect morale.
Despite the growing opposition, the Trudeau government continues to push for burdensome COVID restrictions as much as possible.
Thanks to all Truckers and patriots – your courage and determination is unwavering. You have lighted the Torch of Freedom. We have the Lord as out Guiding Light!?