{"id":1285884,"date":"2022-02-09T16:07:33","date_gmt":"2022-02-09T21:07:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1285884"},"modified":"2022-02-09T16:07:43","modified_gmt":"2022-02-09T21:07:43","slug":"freedom-convoy-triumphs-as-canadian-mandates-fall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/freedom-convoy-triumphs-as-canadian-mandates-fall\/","title":{"rendered":"Freedom Convoy Triumphs as Canadian Mandates Fall"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffreedom-convoy-triumphs-as-canadian-mandates-fall%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1285884&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p class=\"subheading\"><span>Canada\u2019s Freedom Convoy trucker protest against vaccine mandates continued on Tuesday as mandates, vaccine passport systems, and other coronavirus restrictions began falling in provinces across the country \u2013 including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Premier Jason Kenney of Alberta, scene of a vigorous Freedom Convoy protest at a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/calgary.ctvnews.ca\/this-blockade-must-end-alberta-justice-minister-condemns-highway-protest-near-u-s-border-1.5772649\"><span>vital border crossing<\/span><\/a><span> with the United States, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestar.com\/amp\/news\/canada\/2022\/02\/08\/alberta-to-ends-its-vaccine-passport-system-begin-loosening-restrictions-for-children.html\"><span>announced<\/span><\/a><span> the end of its vaccine passports on Tuesday in a remorseful news conference that described pandemic restrictions as a source of \u201cterrible division.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"D-ROS-B1\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B1\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"gmxrevmore\" class=\"H\"><\/figure>\n<p><span>\u201cNow is the time to begin learning to live with [Chinese coronavirus],\u201d Kenney said on Tuesday. \u201cWe cannot remain at a heightened state of emergency forever. We have to begin to heal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cThe threat of Covid-19 [Chinese coronavirus] to public health no longer outweighs the hugely damaging impact of health restrictions. We are well positioned to live with this virus,\u201d he said, citing reduced hospitalization and encouraging wastewater analysis as reasons to begin easing pandemic rules.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>In truth, the number of hospitalizations in Alberta is fairly steady, as the <\/span><i><span>Globe and Mail<\/span><\/i> <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theglobeandmail.com\/canada\/article-saskatchewan-premier-scott-moe-brings-provinces-vaccine-passport-mask\/\">pointed<\/a> out \u2013 with some implied skepticism about Kenney\u2019s insistence that the massive Freedom Convoy protests had nothing to do with his sudden realization that pandemic restrictions have outlived their usefulness.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B2\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<div id=\"attachment_19821898\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.breitbart.com\/media\/2022\/02\/GettyImages-1369598858.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-19821898 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/GettyImages-1369598858-1024x683-1.jpg\" alt=\"OTTAWA, ONTARIO - FEBRUARY 09: Hundreds of truck drivers and their supporters block the streets of downtown Ottawa as part of a convoy of protesters against COVID-19 mandates in Canada on February 09, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. The protesters, whose goals and demands have shifted as more conservative and right-wing groups become involved, are entering their 13th day of blockading the area around the Parliament building. Over 400 vehicles have now joined the convoy which has forced businesses to close and unnerved residents. A state of emergency has been called in Ottawa as police and local officials decide on how best to bring the event to an end. (Photo by Spencer Platt\/Getty Images)\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Hundreds of truck drivers and their supporters block the streets of downtown Ottawa as part of a convoy of protesters against COVID-19 mandates in Canada on February 09, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Spencer Platt\/Getty Images)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>\u201cThe program is no longer serving a useful and compelling purpose,\u201d Kenney said of vaccine passports. \u201cI could not stand in front of Albertans tonight and justify a continuation of a program that has done its job.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cNone of that has to do anything with a few trucks parked at the Coutts border crossing,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_19761954\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/freedom-convoy-ottowa-getty.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19761954\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/freedom-convoy-ottowa-getty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Supporters gather at Parliament Hill for the Freedom Truck Convoy in Ottawa, Canada, on January 29, 2022. (LARS HAGBERG\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>Kenney said restrictions would be lifted in three stages, beginning with the termination of vaccine passports at midnight and the end of pandemic policies in schools, including the odious mask mandate on young children.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cIt is time to let kids be kids,\u201d Kenney said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his own province\u2019s vaccine passport system would be eliminated on Valentine\u2019s Day, while indoor masking requirements would be lifted at the end of February.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B3\" class=\"a8d adSo\"><\/figure>\n<div id=\"attachment_19788466\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/GettyImages-1238219805-e1644257873218.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-19788466\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/GettyImages-1238219805-e1644257873218.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Protestors of the vaccine mandates implemented by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walk near Parliament Hill on February 5, 2022 in Ottawa, Canada. (Minas Panagiotakis\/Getty Images)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>Like Kenney, Moe acknowledged the vaccine passports created \u201cdeep divisions\u201d in society. He said enforcing the passport system was no longer worth the social cost now that the dangerous delta variant has given way to the more contagious, but less lethal, omicron variant \u2013 something that actually <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.breitbart.com\/politics\/2022\/01\/04\/cdc-confusion-omicron-95-percent-of-coronavirus-strains-up-from-22-percent\/\"><span>happened<\/span><\/a><span> in December at the latest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The <\/span><i><span>Globe and Mail <\/span><\/i><span>reported Moe\u2019s declaration of eased restrictions came with a plea for social unity, although he also insisted the protest movement had nothing to do with his decision:<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"D-ROS-B2\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span>\u201cIt is time for us also to heal the divisions in our communities over vaccinations,\u201d Mr. Moe said. He asked residents not to judge each other over vaccination status or turn on those who wear masks after that requirement expires at the end of February.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cDon\u2019t lose a friend to COVID,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Mr. Moe said people from across the province influenced his government\u2019s policy shift, but not specifically the convoys of protesters. He said his MLAs listened to constituents and their changing attitudes. \u201cUltimately, you blend that with the science that we have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span>Premier Dennis King <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theglobeandmail.com\/canada\/article-prince-edward-island-to-begin-reducing-covid-19-restrictions\/\"><span>announced<\/span><\/a><span> that Prince Edward Island will begin easing its pandemic restrictions on February 17, but will not finish lifting mask requirements and limits on public gatherings until April 7. Even then, King said restrictions could remain in place indefinitely for \u201chigh-risk\u201d facilities like hospitals and nursing homes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cThis is not a declaration that Covid is over, or that Covid will disappear, or that we are standing here saying mission accomplished. Covid is still with us and it will be with us,\u201d King warned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cToday is a day we cautiously look forward with hope and optimism,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B4\" class=\"a8d adSo\"><\/figure>\n<p><span>Quebec Premier Francois Legault <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/montreal\/legault-restrictions-feb8-1.6343661\"><span>acknowledged<\/span><\/a><span> public frustration with coronavirus restrictions and said their time was coming to an end, although he insisted they were necessary over the past two years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cThe population is fed up. I\u2019m fed up. We\u2019re all fed up. But the reason we resisted until today was because there was too much risk. Right now, we can take a calculated risk and finally turn the page,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Like his fellow provincial executives in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Prince Edward Island, Legault insisted the Freedom Convoy had nothing to do with the immutable science of Chinese coronavirus changing overnight, but at least he offered his spin with a sense of humor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cIf they want to take credit and not come back in two weeks, I wouldn\u2019t be opposed to that,\u201d he wisecracked about Quebec City protesters, who held a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.breitbart.com\/national-security\/2022\/02\/07\/montreal-mayor-demands-reopening-plan-as-truckers-hit-quebec\/\"><span>demonstration<\/span><\/a><span> last weekend and pledged to return in two weeks if conditions have not improved.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The <\/span><i><span>Globe and Mail <\/span><\/i><span>quoted communications professor David Taras of Calgary\u2019s Mount Royal University predicting Canadian politicians would probably get away with pretending they coincidentally decided to begin lifting restrictions just as the Freedom Convoy protests peaked, because the public is weary of the endless pandemic and looking for an offramp.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cThey\u2019re not looking weak. I think the public exhaustion is now working in favor of the government,\u201d Taras said \u2013 a prognosis that might offer a ray of hope to nervous Democrats south of the Canadian border as they, too, abruptly discover science coincidentally changed at the exact moment their poll numbers hit rock bottom.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Canada\u2019s Freedom Convoy trucker protest against vaccine mandates continued on Tuesday as mandates, vaccine passport systems, and other coronavirus restrictions began falling in provinces across the country \u2013 including Alberta, &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1894016,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1285884","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1285884","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1285884"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1285884\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1894016"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1285884"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1285884"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1285884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}