Group rallies in Simcoe County as 'Freedom Convoy' rolls down Highway 400
Hundreds of people gathered at the Innisfil Beach Road ONroute Thursday morning in solidarity with the so-called 'Freedom Convoy.'
The group plans on travelling southbound along Highway 400 to meet up with another gathering in Vaughan.
The truckers began a cross-country trip from British Columbia to Ottawa over the weekend, protesting the mandate requiring truckers travelling across the Canada- U.S. border to be vaccinated.
Several participants in the demonstration say it's also about various other policies that they feel infringe on their freedoms.
They warn that the vaccine mandate for truckers would leave store shelves bare.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the protest included a "small fringe minority of people" who "are holding unacceptable views" that "do not represent the views of Canadians who have been there for each other."
Many who took part in the protest Thursday said they were vaccinated, including Carla Seaward who lost her husband to COVID-19.
"We stayed away from everybody. We did our thing, and I still lost him at 49-years-old, so you know what, the entire country is suffering, and it's time for us to come together because enough is enough."
Nearly every overpass along the highway was crowded with supporters waving Canadian flags.
"I feel it's right that we come and do our due diligence to support what we feel and what we want," said Jamie Robinson.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance has said it is not involved with the protest, noting roughly 15 per cent of truckers are not fully vaccinated.
As the protest moves through the region, the OPP cautions motorists travelling along Highway 400, Highway 11 and Highway 401 Thursday through Saturday to prepare for slowdowns.
"The OPP encourages everyone on the roads to be patient and respectful of each other despite potential inconvenience related to the protest convoy," OPP tweeted Thursday morning.
GO Transit also warns of possible delays due to congested traffic along major routes.
For those who can't attend the protests at the nation's capital, another slow-moving convoy is scheduled to take place in Barrie on Saturday.
With files from CP24's Chris Fox
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.