Photo Credit: Todd Loewen Facebook page.

By Shane Clausing

convoy to ottawa

Central Peace-Notley MLA Loewen joins convoy to Ottawa

Jan 27, 2022 | 5:33 PM

Central Peace-Notley MLA Todd Loewen has joined the convoy of truck drivers making their way to Ottawa for Saturday’s protest at Parliament Hill.

Loewen tells EverythingGP he decided to join the convoy to Ottawa because he wants to help put an end to vaccine mandates at the Canada/U.S. border for truckers and COVID-19 restrictions in Canada.

“When I heard this was all developing, I had a chance to think about if I could get involved. I wanted to see and hear firsthand what’s happening and get a feeling of what people are saying, what people are doing and what the feeling is across Canada. I thought the best way to do that was to do it myself,” he explained.

“I think politicians tend to talk a lot and do little, so I just wanted to change that a bit, be active, and actually do something. Hopefully, this is the chance to make a difference and let the Prime Minister of Canada know what people are thinking.”

Loewen spoke to EverythingGP when he was just outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario.

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So far on his drive to Ottawa, he says he’s been able to see a tremendous amount of support for the truckers and protesters from the communities he’s visited.

“I think what’s amazing is the support all across Canada that the convoy has been receiving. The stories of people lining the highways in minus 20-30 degree weather, I think that’s just great to see,” he added.

“You know, this is obviously something that isn’t just a small fringe group of people like the Primer Minister said. This is widespread, there are hundreds of thousands of people supporting this across Canada and I think to suggest this is a ‘fringe group or people with unacceptable views’ as the Prime Minister said, (is) totally irresponsible.”

While the convoy to Ottawa began as a protest for truck drivers to voice their displeasure over the vaccine mandates for cross-border travel, Loewen feels it has grown into a discussion about what’s gone on in the last two years.

“I think it’s grown quite a bit. I think the main thing is it’s not about the vaccines, it’s about the mandates and the restrictions that keep people from working in their regular jobs and earning their livelihoods for their families and it’s about freedom too,” Loewen said.

He adds the trucker issue is still an important one, however.

“The trucker issue is a big issue. Our supply chain relies on truckers bringing stuff across the border and of course a lot of our businesses sell into the U.S. We have to be able to have that movement,” he stated.

“We’ve already had a shortage of truck drivers and problems with supplies and this is going to make the problem even worse. We need to get past this, get things going and bring back some common sense.”

Once he arrives in Ottawa, Loewen says he’ll take in the protest at Parlement Hill on Saturday. He’s hopeful those protesting will keep the event peaceful for all involved.

“I just want to see a peaceful, and respectful rally where people get a chance to speak and show their support for this movement that has grown right across Canada.”

Loewen did not say if he would speak at the protest but says it will be great to hear from the people who’ve been the most affected over the last two years.