THUNDER BAY — Ontario Provincial Police say they will work to ensure there are no safety issues as a lengthy convoy of truckers opposed to mandated COVID-19 vaccinations travels across Northern Ontario.
There's no verification, but a spokesperson for what the organizers have named Freedom Convoy 2022 said the convoy stretched out for 70 kilometres when it left Regina en route to Kenora on Tuesday morning.
It's unclear how the unnamed organizer arrived at the 70-km figure. A report by CTV News in Winnipeg quoted the RCMP as stating the convoy was 20 kilometres as it passed through Manitoba.
However, other vehicles could join the group as it moves across the country.
The convoy was expected to arrive in Kenora at about 7 p.m. Tuesday, and be in Thunder Bay by 4 p.m. Wednesday. It is expected to arrive in the Sudbury region on Jan. 28. The convoy has told media it will be arriving at Jeremy's Truck Stop in Nairn Centre starting at around 10 a.m. Friday.
An OPP spokesperson says they will monitor the situation and ensure that "things remain peaceful."
On-duty officers as well as members of the Highway Safety Division will be positioned along the route to provide traffic control as needed, OPP said.
The OPP's Provincial Liaison Team is also on standby to make contact periodically with convoy organizers.
However, the spokesperson said there will be no police escort unless circumstances change.
He said there is conflicting information about the number of trucks in the convoy, but OPP will get an accurate count when the group arrives at the Manitoba/Ontario border.
The truckers coming from the west will converge with others from eastern Canada this weekend in Ottawa.
