Major union in Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton and Ontario denounces ‘Freedom Convoy’

Unifor, which has substantial membership in Mississauga, Brampton and Hamilton, has called on all federal political parties to condemn the ‘Freedom Convoy’ — and treat it as a national emergency.

Demonstrators who are part of a convoy that started as an anti-vaccine and anti-public health protest have occupied streets in downtown Ottawa near Parliament Hill for 14 days, while fanning out to other areas of the nation’s capital. Another associated group is blocking the road leading to and from the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Michigan, where about $700 million in Canada-United States trade is transported daily.

On Friday, Unifor, which is the nation’s largest private sector union, said all federal parties need to condemn the “abhorrent” demonstrations. The statement, signed by union leaders Lana Payne, Renaud Gagné, Linda MacNeil, Naureen Rizvi, Gavin McGarrigle, also stated that Unifor “expect(s) governments to treat this escalating situation as a national emergency.”

The statement reads, in part, “The past two years (of the COVID-19 pandemic) have taken a heavy toll on all of us. All workers in Canada, through daily acts of selflessness, bravery and solidarity, kept our economy moving. Through our collective efforts and sacrifices, we avoided the worst possible outcomes of this pandemic — despite tens of thousands of lives lost. Front-line workers continue to exemplify the best in all of us — they have not once let us down. No amount of thanks can ever demonstrate our gratitude for the burden they continue to carry.

“This is what makes this protest so abhorrent.

“In spite of these sacrifices, and in spite of the best, science-based guidance provided by public health officials, this group has taken the nation’s capital, and critical border crossings, under siege. As a result, protestors are denying workers access to their jobs and economic security, including thousands of Unifor members. This disruption threatens the job security of members.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford imposed a state of emergency on Friday in an attempt to end the truck protest convoys, which are not endorsed by trucking industry associations. Ford said the emergency orders provide police with the authority to take away personal and commercial licences of anyone who does not comply, and warned of maximum penalties of up to $100,000.

New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, which also have Conservative governments, took similar anti-convoy measures several days ago. Ontario New Democratic Party Leader Andrea Horwath also called for similar measures earlier this week.

“Premier Doug Ford has had the power all along to stop the insurrection, and he chose not to use it,” Horwath, who represents Hamilton Centre in the Ontario legislature, stated on Friday.

“Two weeks ago, he could have taken action — before people lost two weeks of income, and health care workers were harassed in the streets, and before truckers trying to deliver food and medical supplies were stuck at the border for days and our supply chain was squeezed.

“Doug Ford has been refusing to use his powers, and withholding resources.”

The Ambassador Bridge remained closed late on Friday night. In Ottawa, demonstrators hauled a stage they had built on to Wellington Street and staged a concert. A court injunction prohibits the demonstrators from honking truck horns, but videos shared to Twitter showed that it was continuing late on Friday night.

#OttawaOccupied – imagine all the animals & children of #Ottawa enduring the torture of the #TruckersConvoy2022-lack of empathy. Should all be #ashamed & that includes @OttawaBylaw @OttawaPolice @ottawacity – after this, u better not DARE ticket #Ottawans -> ⚖️. #Disgrace pic.twitter.com/Tnl9slTzSf

— A World Citizen of 2022 (@acitizenof20201) February 12, 2022

Unifor emphasized that the actions of convoy members have moved beyond legitimate protest. It also noted that hard right-wing extremists have seized on the issues of vaccination requirements to try to legitimize and normalize hate.

“Unifor firmly believes the right to protest is an essential part of our democracy. However, with every passing day, the actions associated with this movement pull away from that fundamental right. Reports that this campaign maintains close association to known right-wing extremists, condones hate symbols, conspiracy theories, and utilizes former military and police operatives all paint the picture of an insurgency — harkening back to the (Jan. 6, 2021) attack on the U.S. Capitol last year.

“Unifor is urging all federal parties to condemn the ‘Freedom Convoy,’ through a joint statement. Further, Unifor is urging all levels of government to take immediate and reasonable steps to ensure the resumption of goods and people moving across borders. We expect governments to treat this escalating situation as a national emergency.”

“For far too long, Governments at all levels have ignored the threat posed by far-right organizations that seek to infiltrate legitimate workers’ movements and advance messages of hate and division. They have allowed them to spread hateful messages, to raise funds and to act with impunity at great cost for workers, communities of colour, Indigenous people, members of the LGBTQ community, and many more.

“We cannot and will not allow hate and division to shape the future of this country.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that, “Everything is on the table because this unlawful activity has to end and it will end.” However, the division of powers in Canadian federalism means that provinces and cities have to call for interventions such as military support.

Interim Conservative Party of Canada leader Candice Bergen, former leader Andrew Scheer, leadership hopeful Pierre Poilievre supported the convoy, at least initially. Bergen stated Thursday that the occupations and blockades should come to an end.