Truckers protest vax mandate at U.S./Canada border

On Monday, delays were reported at the U.S./Manitoba border as a group of truck drivers demonstrated against new vaccine requirements that went into effect over the weekend.

Starting around 3 a.m. on Monday morning, a group of truckers performed a “slow roll” protest on Highway 75 between Emerson Duty Free and the Commercial Inspection station in Manitoba, according to Global News. The demonstration reportedly blocked all lanes of traffic at the border and caused traffic disruptions.

Local outlets report that 30 to 40 truck drivers participated in the slow roll. Some cars and pickup drivers also joined in the demonstration.

Drivers demonstrated against sweeping vaccine requirements put into place by the Canadian government on January 15 requiring all U.S. truck drivers entering Canada show proof of full vaccination. Unvaccinated Canadian truckers who are returning from the U.S. will also be required to quarantine for 14 days under the new rule.

Last week the Canadian government said that they would drop the quarantine requirement for unvaccinated Canadian truck drivers, but the government later said that this statement was issued in error and the quarantine requirement would stand after all.

Some members of the trucking community have pointed out that a two week quarantine would be financially devastating for drivers and smaller trucking companies.

The U.S. is expected to enforce a similar vaccine mandate at border crossings starting on January 22, 2022.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) estimated that the vaccine mandate would force 12,000 to 16,000 cross-border truckers to leave their jobs.

You can view an FAQ from the Canadian government on how the cross-border vaccine mandate will be enforced here.