A huge convoy of up to 50,000 Canadian truck drivers arrived in Ottawa on Friday night ahead of a planned protest this weekend against vaccine mandates for drivers.
Since January 15, all Canadian truck drivers who are unvaccinated must take a COVID-19 test and quarantine when driving back from the United States.
They are not allowed into the U.S. unless they are vaccinated, and American drivers are not allowed into Canada unless they show their certificate.
American drivers returning to the U.S., however, do not need to take a test and quarantine.
Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, has dismissed the protest from the truckers as a disgruntled few, pointing out that almost 90 percent of his country is vaccinated.
Yet the drivers in the so-called 'Freedom Convoy' are angry at his mandate, and plan this weekend on showing the strength of their sentiment in the Canadian capital at the end of a 2,000 mile protest rally.
Truckers from the US - who are only allowed into Canada if they are vaccinated - have also joined the massive convoy.
Canadian Trucking Magazine publisher Dave Mackenzie, who is a working long-haul trucker, told West Standard Online that some U.S. truckers were driving from North Dakota to Portal Saskatchewan, where they intend to cross the border and join the group.
Some of the group's leaders are calling for a peaceful event, but statements from some associated with the group have included threats of violence.
Ottawa police said they would be out in force and ready to arrest anyone who breaks the law.
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