The truth about the Truckers’ Freedom Convoy

Who were these men and women? Where did they come from, what did they believe, why did they do what they did?

February 14th Update: This article has been updated since it originally ran on February 8th. It has been updated with live links to the book “Thank You, Truckers” which is now available to order on Amazon.

“The Truckers’ Convoy,” she fumed, “is a black eye on the entire Trucking industry!”

“Well, sure,” I replied, shaking my head in wonder at her words. “In the same way the Minute Men were a black eye on American farmers during the Revolutionary War.”

On the third anniversary of the Truckers’ Freedom Convoy, Canada’s Truckers can declare victory.

Despite the fact that Justin Trudeau, legions of government officials and the full weight of the nation’s media establishment were lined up against them armed with unfathomable resources, the Truckers won.

This triumph is not limited to the legal decision that Trudeau’s invocation of the Emergencies Act was unreasonable and unjustified, although that was a massive win. Trudeau has been defeated and is resigning; I do not believe that this would not be happening, had the Truckers not travelled to Ottawa to protest his tyrannical ways during COVID-19.

I believe we witnessed Canadian history in the making in 2022, as surely as did the Fathers of Confederation or those who drove the last spike of the trans-Canada railroad.

Armed with spirit and resolve, common sense and humour, the Truckers and their millions of supporters won a victory for freedom, democracy, and the Canadian Way. No shots were fired; no violence took place, until government used force to end the Convoy. It was a glorious celebration of Canuck culture, from the street hockey games to the bouncy castles, hot tubs and beer.

One particularly blunt conversation from that period stays with me. I was speaking with an advertising client, a smart businesswoman who runs successful training programs for commercial drivers of all kinds, from transport trucks to emergency vehicles.

“The Truckers’ Convoy,” she fumed, “is a black eye on the entire Trucking industry!”

“Well, sure,” I replied, shaking my head in wonder at her words. “In the same way the Minute Men were a black eye on American farmers during the Revolutionary War.”

I knew as the words left my mouth that I was probably burning the bridge of a business relationship, but that seemed unimportant given the enormous stakes for which Canadians were fighting. What would it profit anybody to protect a professional reputation, but sacrifice ideals as fundamental as the right to protect your personal safety and bodily autonomy? To cash the cheque, but give up the right to protest, to assemble, to petition government?

The right of parents to make their own decisions about how to protect children from harm?

A lot of people, it turns out, were more worried about the chance of a black eye than fighting for the right to autonomy and freedom. Fortunately for Canada and the world, a significant group of Truckers were not worried, and were not afraid to take a stand.

Who were these men and women? Where did they come from, what did they believe, why did they do what they did?

Why did they risk everything – financial security, physical safety, family relationships, professional accomplishment – to drive to Ottawa and petition government with their concerns?

You will find many of the answers to these questions and more on February 14^th, when journalist/photographer Donna Laframboise’ book “Thank You, Truckers” is launched online. It will be available through Amazon as an e-book, and print copies of the book can be ordered from that date. Readers should stay tuned, as well, for information upcoming on an audio version.

“Thank You, Truckers” is different from other Freedom Convoy books because it features stories and interviews with the Truckers themselves, and the enormous number of Canadians who supported them fully and enthusiastically. It presents the real, human story: Laframboise was on the ground during February, 2022, talking to protesters and colourful characters, observing history as it occurred.

Not only was she shooting photos in Ottawa during the Convoy, but she collected names and phone numbers, in order to spend the next three years visiting, interviewing, and researching and writing the stories of the Truckers and supporters she met.

Reading “Thank You, Truckers” will allow Canadians to learn the untold stories of the Convoy; it is alarming how different was the on-the-ground story from the shamelessly propagandized, fear-mongering stories pushed by government and media. (Spoiler: there were no actual Nazis or Confederate Rebels among the Truckers, no matter what you saw on the CBC.)

For a nation abused by arrogant government and bruised by its brutally bad policies for a decade, “Thank You, Truckers” will come like a breath of fresh air. It will remind Canadians of what it felt like to be proud of our nation, and offers a chance to feel proud of the brave fellow citizens who stood up against tyranny.

Even if you were one of the people who disagreed with the Convoy in principle and in practice – in fact, ESPECIALLY if you were one of the people who disagreed with the Freedom Convoy as it was presented to you in the news, do yourself and your loved ones a favour. Read Donna Laframboise’ “Thank You, Truckers.”

You will read about Csaba, the Ontario Trucker who fled communism in Eastern Europe to recognize shades of it in Canada; Jake and Lynette, who travelled from Saskatchewan with a pregnant dog that eventually gave birth to puppies named Freedom and Hope.

You’ll meet Sam, a Nova Scotia mechanic and snowplow driver who got sick after his first COVID shot, and then suspended without pay; and Mark and Guy, who were arrested in downtown Ottawa, then dropped off into a dark, frigid night on the outskirts of town to find their way back with no vehicle. All three of them remain upbeat and vow to keep fighting.

And then there’s mega-donor Brad Howland from New Brunswick, whose business was turned upside down when GoFundMe’s donor information was leaked to the media. Not only is he an iconic representation of the salt-of-the-Earth citizens who gave money because they could not join the protest in Ottawa; he was doxxed, harassed and eventually involved in a lawsuit. And yet, Howland told Laframboise: “I’m sure there’s good people in Ottawa, and they’re our fellow Canadians. I mean, people sue
nowadays for anything. It’s one of them things I don’t worry about. I really only think about it when someone brings it up.”

After reading Donna Laframboise’ epic historical record, you will feel better about so much: Canada’s past, Canada’s future, and what is possible for you, your kids and your grandkids.

Thank you, Truckers.