Erin O'Toole declines to declare support for truckers freedom convoy

The Canadian Press / Adrian Wyld

Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole has declined to offer his public support for truckers that are protesting against COVID vaccine mandates. O'Toole was repeatedly asked about his position on the protest by reporters at a press conference today.

While some Conservative Party MPs have offered some support for the demonstration, O'Toole instead chose to focus his message on vaccines.

Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole chose to dodge questions instead of supporting the #TruckersForFreedom.

See our coverage: https://t.co/DEN7zzSz9G pic.twitter.com/RTUkabS3a0

— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) January 24, 2022

When asked whether he supported the goals of the protest, and if he would meet with truckers when the convoy reaches its destination in Ottawa, the Conservative leader said that he had been in contact with the Canadian Truckers Alliance, which released a statement critical of the demonstration, and that his party had proposed policies to try to help alleviate supply chain issues.

The “most important policy,” O'Toole said, “is vaccines.”

“We encourage everyone to get vaccinated and to get boosted,” O'Toole added, before continuing to focus on issues surrounding supply chains and food costs.

On social media, popular Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre recently shared a video in which he described Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's vaccine requirement for truckers crossing the border as a “vaccine vendetta.” Poilievre's statement was backed by fellow Conservative MP Jeremy Patzer.

Well said @PierrePoilievre https://t.co/lsmmZQoBVN

— Jeremy Patzer (@JeremyPatzerMP) January 19, 2022

Former Conservative leadership contender Leslyn Lewis, who represents Ontario's Haldimand—Norfolk riding, retweeted a post by an account supporting the convoy.

I've joined the Truckers CB radio group, have a listen!

Convoy status :

-coming in from almost every corner of 🇨🇦
-gofundme over 2.2 million now
-Convoy is 28KM's long in Windsor alone#TruckersForFreedom #TruckerConvoy2022 #trudeaumustgo #cdnpoli #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/0n2Ju6xMeN

— Yukon Strong (@YukonStrong) January 23, 2022

More support for the convoy came from former party leader Andrew Scheer, who thanked the truckers, praising their protest of the prime minister's vaccine mandate.

Andrew Scheer is the dictionary definition of the word “loser”. That’s an observation, not an insult.

But even he looks positively Churchillian next to the silent coward Erin O’Toole. https://t.co/Vc0PgYExUN

— Ezra Levant 🍁 (@ezralevant) January 25, 2022

The convoy is expected to arrive in Ottawa this Saturday, January 28. Rebel News has embedded Mocha Bezirgan with the convoy, and is providing coverage of its journey across Canada. To see more or to support our coverage, visit ConvoyReports.com.