It is not in Ottawa, but in Winnipeg, Manitoba, that the organizers of the spiritual successor of the “freedom convoy” meet.
In a live video posted to Facebook on Sunday, the group Canada Unity announced plans to demonstrate in Winnipeg from February 17-21, 2023.
One of the organizers, nicknamed “Bigbear” in the video, said that this meeting will aim to “find solutions for a better world for all Canadians”.
James Bauder, who is co-founder of the group Canada Unity, said that the idea of returning to demonstrate in Ottawa was considered, but that the organizers of this new convoy wanted to offer “a gift to the residents of Ottawa”.
“We heard you Ottawa residents,” he said during the live broadcast. We are still converging on Ottawa, but this time the convoy will pass through Ottawa and you can join us for the journey to Winnipeg! It will be really exciting. »
The organizers hope to recreate the enthusiasm generated by the first edition of the “freedom convoy” last February, during which thousands of demonstrators blocked the streets of downtown Ottawa for weeks in order to to oppose health restrictions — and more generally to the Liberal government.
These protests led to the closure of businesses and streets in the area, including part of Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill.
To avoid reliving the same movie, Ottawa police had already begun preparing for a possible return of protesters in 2023.
In a letter sent last week to the Mayor and Chairman of the Ottawa Police Services Board, Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs assured that the Ottawa Police Service Liaison Team is discussing already with the organizers of this event.
The latter seem rather to have turned around and decided to go to Winnipeg.
Also in their live broadcast, the organizers of this “convoy 2.0” mentioned having already had discussions with other international pressure groups, who would be very interested in participating in one way or another in this event in Canada.