There has been considerable debate about what is the Truck Blockade in Canada about. Earlier this year, Canada’s prime minister dismissed the protesters as a fringe group that doesn’t represent the majority of Canadian truck drivers. The government has since struggled to contain the protesters. Initially, the protesters blocked traffic in Ottawa, but soon moved to Quebec City, Toronto, Calgary, and the Ambassador Bridge. The convoy has become a focal point of opposition to new federal regulations requiring truck drivers to have certain vaccines. Many truckers who take part have said that the new regulations are unfair and that the government should drop the mandate.
In response to the protests, the government of Canada is taking action to end the blockade. President Biden has called on the Canadian government to remove the vehicles and stop the truckers from disrupting cross-border trade. Meanwhile, Windsor officials are seeking an injunction to force the protesters to disperse.
Why are Trucks Blocking the Canadian Border?
Truckers in Canada are blocking a major border crossing with the U.S. The Ambassador Bridge, which links Windsor and Detroit, is closed to Canada-bound traffic as a result of the protests. The protests are in reaction to the mandated COVID vaccine, but they could affect supply chains on both sides of the border. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said that the blocking of the bridge is illegal.
In Canada, the Ambassador Bridge is a major highway connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan. It carries $300 million in goods every day, with about a third of that related to the auto industry. The blockade has left automakers without crucial parts and forced several plants to close. The Teamsters union, which represents 15,000 long-haul truckers, condemned the blockade.
Canada has imposed a state of emergency and increased police presence, but has so far avoided forcibly removing protesters. However, some supply chains are choosing to avoid the area.
Why are the Truckers Boycotting?
The trucker movement has a history of political protest, and the current protest has reached unprecedented proportions. Protesters have blocked a major highway, halting traffic for days. They have also started similar protests in cities like New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, and in the French capital, Paris. In fact, police in both cities have deployed thousands of officers to prevent the convoy from passing through the city.
The protest is in response to the recent sentencing of a truck driver in Colorado. The sentenced truck driver, 26-year-old Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, was given 110 years in prison, after a fatal crash. The protesters have been circulating footage of truckers refusing to drive through Colorado, calling for Aguilera-Mederos’ release.
Many truckers have expressed their opposition to the law and to the sentencing guidelines. On Oct. 15, Rogel Aguilera-Mederos was convicted of vehicular homicide in the crash that killed four people and injured many others. The conviction came as a shock to the transportation community, and many have called for the truck driver’s conviction to be overturned. However, it was the sentencing guidelines that led to the sentence of 110 years.
Why are the Truck Drivers on Strike?
The talk of a nationwide strike by truck drivers has been echoing across the country and on social media sites for years, but that hasn’t done much to unify the ranks of the industry. The recent COVID-19 pandemic brought home just how essential trucking is to the economy and the consuming public. Many drivers took pride in doing their patriotic duty to feed the nation. But they don’t want to become employees and are opposed to the laws that would force them out of the industry.
A major reason for the strike is the state of California, where a law known as AB5 limits the number of independent truckers. This law, which affects the way truckers work, would limit their options and create red tape and hefty costs for those who operate independently. The strike is in protest of this law, which truck drivers say is intended to limit their freedom and kill them.
The Teamsters union, which represents independent truckers, has a history of striking. In the 1970s, truckers in many cities around the country went on strike for over a month. This strike caused a major economic hit to cities across the country.
Why are Trucks Stuck in Canada?
Truckers stranded in Canada are not only facing long wait times, but they are also facing a huge protest. Protesters have blocked a major international economic pipeline. The “Freedom Convoy” movement has been going on for nearly two weeks. Some say the truckers are going too far in blocking the border. Regardless, governments on both sides of the border are anxious to get the situation resolved.
The blockade began at the Ambassador Bridge, a bridge linking Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Mich. It carries $350 million in goods every day and is a crucial artery for the U.S.-Canada trade. About a third of that traffic is centered on the auto industry. The delays caused companies to reroute their shipments. Another affected bridge is the Blue Water Bridge, which connects Port Huron, Mich., with Sarnia, Ontario. Truck traffic on this bridge has also slowed as a result of the new blockade.
The protest is against the Canadian government’s vaccination mandates for truck drivers, which include COVID vaccine. Without this vaccination, truckers entering Canada must spend two weeks quarantined. The convoy began as a protest against the regulations but quickly turned into a full-scale protest. On Tuesday, truckers clashed with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Why is the Bridge to Canada Closed?
Since Feb. 7, truckers from Canada have been blocking the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge normally carries 8,000 trucks and $323 million in goods daily. It is one of the main trade routes between the U.S. and Canada, accounting for nearly a third of the trade volume. This trade is estimated to be worth more than $600 billion annually.
The disruption is having a major impact on the region. It is affecting trade and industry. Some car manufacturers in the area have shut down operations, citing the disruptions in supplying manufacturing parts. Other important cross-border arteries have been disrupted as well. For example, the Coutts, Alberta to Montana highway and the Surrey, British Columbia, to Washington state highway are also closed. The Canadian government has declared a state of emergency and warned that the closure could have catastrophic consequences for the region.
The closure is a result of protests. Protesters have occupied the Ambassador Bridge. It was partially closed on Saturday. Protesters have also disrupted the Blue Water Bridge. Windsor police have issued a travel advisory for area residents.
Can Protesters Block Traffic in Canada?
In Canada, it is illegal to block traffic to a bridge or major infrastructure. This law is enforced by the provincial government, which can fine violators up to $100,000 and suspend their licenses. Earlier in the week, Trudeau warned that any illegal activity would be taken to court. He added that “everything is on the table” in an effort to put a stop to the blockades. He also said that he spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden, who urged him to take action against the protesters. Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency and threatened heavy penalties for any interference.
Protesters have used this method of protest to disrupt the daily commute of many Canadians. In October, the city of Victoria, BC, temporarily shut down the Johnson Street Bridge to allow protesters to picket. The protests delayed the opening of the BC Legislature and led to the partial closure of government offices in Victoria.
Why are All the Truck Drivers Quitting?
The reasons why truck drivers quit are a diverse bunch. Some quit because the pay is too low, while others cite poor working conditions. They often spend long hours behind the wheel and don’t get to see their families. The lack of breaks and exercise also causes a physical toll. However, even truckers who do make a decent income may choose to quit due to the demanding nature of their jobs.
According to ATA statistics, there is a high turnover rate in the trucking industry. Annual turnover rates have consistently exceeded 90 percent. This means that for every one truck driver that joins a fleet, three will quit within a year. As a result, there is a shortage of truck drivers.
A shortage of truck drivers is a serious problem. Not just in the U.S., but in Europe and China as well. As many as 80,000 truck drivers will leave the trucking industry by the year 2021, the US economy will suffer. In fact, the shortage of truck drivers is so severe that the American Trucking Association has warned of an unprecedented shortage. A lack of drivers has long been a major problem for the trucking industry, but the current shortage has only made the situation worse.
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