Trudeau, O’Toole stress need for truck drivers to get vaccinated
Federal leaders continue to reinforce the need for truck drivers to get vaccinated against Covid-19, as convoys of protesters head to Ottawa.
“Almost 90% of truckers in Canada are already vaccinated, and the best way to continue to prevent supply chain disruptions is to ensure that everyone gets vaccinated,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said through a translator at a streamed press conference on Monday.
“I regret the Conservative Party and Conservative politicians are fearmongering to Canadians about the supply chain, but the reality is vaccination is how we’re going to get through this.”
Canada’s truck drivers have since Jan. 15 been required to show proof of their vaccination status when returning from the U.S., or face quarantine and testing requirements. A U.S. mandate imposed on Jan. 22 now blocks unvaccinated truck drivers from entering the U.S. in the first place.
In a separate press briefing, Conservative leader Erin O’Toole did not answer repeated questions about whether he will meet with the protesters when they arrive in Ottawa, even as some Conservative MPs have shown support for the convoys on social media.
“I support getting as many people vaccinated as possible, including truckers,” O’Toole said. “We have a supply chain crisis right now.
“How can we tackle that by prioritizing vaccines, prioritizing public health, but reducing pink slips and getting goods on shelves?”
O’Toole was also critical of confused messaging last week that seemed to show the government reversing course on the vaccine mandate at the border.
“The government was floating whether they could actually change their policy to address the supply chain shortage and they decided not to,” he said.
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A lot of people like myself that have got 3 shots and disabled support these truck driver protests. At any point I time in the past 2 years I and others would have sat down to discuss the issues including the vaccines.
For almost 2 years it been OK to cross border without being vaxed and we have relied on these drivers and now we turn our backs on them , shame on you Trudeau. Although I am vaxed I believe people should have there freedom of choice. And it seems we have been thru the worst of covid and this somehow will make things better, I don’t think so.
In the meantime the illegals are getting let back in at Roxham Road – who are probably not vaxxed – Justin must be getting ready to call another election
Both O’Toole and trudeau are pushing for something they have no right to do. What ever happened to canadian rights. Shame on these politicians time for them to resign and go back into public sector
Ottawa should hold a vaccination clinic for truck drivers at the protest site.
Stand your ground Trudeau! We have had over a year to get vaccinated! The sooner we get the COVIDIOTS vaccinated, the sooner this virus will be over!
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Harvey, you’ve been drinking the kool-aid and just believe a bunch of liars. Do some research and you will find the suppressed truth that many have died from the jab. This jab is experimental which means that there are a bunch of needles which contain a placebo. Maybe that’s what you got. Don’t push the shot on me; I have natural immunity.
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Whoa … Dutch is right! You have been drinking the kool aid! You need to do some serious research on your own and make an informed decision rather than just regurgitating what the government tells you. Think about it just a little bit … when has the government had your best interests at heart?
You do of course realize that the vaccine you are getting is now 4 generations old right? By contrast the flu vaccine you get is 1 generation old.
As for the virus being over, it’s been found in wildlife. It will NEVER be over.
The virus a great tool for politicians to browbeat the public with though.
I would not trust a thing either one of these guy say. They are destroying Canada. They do not give a crap about anyone but them selves. When the leaders of this country disregard the constitution that was made for everyone, they need to go. When they control the media, destroy peoples lives, what is there real goal?
The supply chain was working quite well until the government started interfering.
Get vaccinated so we can get back to a normal life
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90 % of us did. so when is the normal life going to start?
it is the end of this govermental system and those currupt members
Back in the 50’s and 60’s we had NO social media and everybody got vaccinated for polio and measles and a host of other diseases, which have all been eradicated! Now we have social media, and all of a sudden people are researchers and know more than doctors and scientists that have years of education! I believe herein lies the problem!!!
O’Toole has no power but Trudeau does. The buck stops with Trudeau. This is all Trudeau’s fault. I wonder how he will handle this. Canada is becoming so divided. This convoy is very interesting and they have my support.