Canada must confront the toxic ‘Freedom Convoy’ head-on

Long lines of truckers, calling themselves the “Freedom Convoy,” are headed across Canada to Ottawa from the West and from the East. Estimates of the size of the convoy vary. I won’t estimate. Bigger than a breadbasket, smaller than Hadrian’s Wall. Hundreds of trucks and personal vehicles, by some estimates.

Those taking part are on their way, ostensibly, to protest pandemic measures, including vaccine mandates for truckers, but that’s just the tip of the spear. The leadership of the group is promising to remain peaceful, but the convoy is made up of many individuals and far-right groups that have embraced the convoy as a Canadian version of the Jan. 6 rioting in the United States. The movement shares an affinity with Trumpist toxic authoritarianist politics. Indeed, the convoy has received attention from Donald Trump Jr. Police and security services are preparing for the worst as experts express concern about the online vitriol and journalists covering the convoy are harassed.