History of Canada convoy protest in Timeline

The Canada convoy protest, or Freedom Convoy, involved widespread protests and blockades across Canada in early 2022. Initially sparked by opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandates for cross-border truck drivers, the movement broadened to encompass all COVID-19 restrictions. Starting January 22, 2022, convoys from across Canada converged in Ottawa on January 29, rallying at Parliament Hill alongside thousands of pedestrian protesters. Simultaneous demonstrations occurred in provincial capitals and at crucial U.S. border crossings.

1970: War Measures Act invoked during October Crisis

In 1970, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act to deploy the Canadian Forces against the Front de libération du Québec during the October Crisis. This historical event is referenced as a parallel to the invocation of the Emergencies Act during the Freedom Convoy protests.

1988: Emergencies Act Inception

The Emergencies Act, which replaced the former War Measures Act, came into inception in 1988. This was the first time the act had been invoked since its inception. It was invoked by Justin Trudeau on February 14th to end border blockades and the occupation of downtown Ottawa by 'Freedom Convoy' protesters.

1998: Gwen Boniface appointed OPP commissioner

In 1998, Gwen Boniface was appointed as the OPP commissioner. She remained in this position until 2006. Boniface later served as the Senate co-chair for the DECD committee.

2006: Gwen Boniface Ends Tenure as OPP commissioner

Gwen Boniface ended her tenure as OPP commissioner in 2006, after serving since 1998. She later served as the Senate co-chair for the DECD committee investigating the events of the Freedom convoy.

2016: Comparisons to Russian interference in 2016 US elections

After Facebook stated that they had removed fake users that were set up in overseas content farms promoting the convoy protests in Canada, New York Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney questioned Facebook as to the number of the accounts, when they were identified and how many impressions they had on US and Canadian users, comparing it to Russian interference in the 2016 US elections.

2017: Reference to Trump's "good people on both sides" remark

Before Erin O'Toole was removed from the Conservative leadership, Candice Bergen had implored him to support the protestors, saying that "there were good people on both sides", which has been described by writers as an echo of the phrase made by Donald Trump in regard to the Unite the Right rally in 2017.

2019: Action 4 Canada support for Yellow Vests protests

In 2019, Action 4 Canada, founded by Tanya Gaw, actively supported the Yellow Vests protests. Action 4 Canada is associated with the Canada Unity group inside the Freedom Convoy, and has been called an Islamophobic and anti-LGBTQ hate and conspiracy group.

2019: Benjamin Dichter speaks at People's Party of Canada convention

In 2019, Benjamin Dichter, listed as an organizer on the Freedom Convoy's GoFundMe page, spoke at the inaugural People's Party of Canada national convention. Dichter has also claimed that political Islam has infiltrated the Conservative Party of Canada.

2020: Indian Social Media Reaction to Trudeau's Protest Response

In 2020, Indian social media commentators, including actress Kangana Ranaut and sportsperson Surendra Poonia, criticized Canadian PM Trudeau's handling of the trucker protest, viewing it as Karma for his support of the 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest. They referenced his previous encouragement of Indian protestors.

November 16, 2021: Truck Driver Denied Entry to Canada

On November 16, 2021, Brigitte Belton, a truck driver, was denied entry to Canada at the Detroit–Windsor tunnel for not wearing a face mask by Canada Border Services Agency officers. This incident contributed to her frustration and subsequent involvement in planning the Canada convoy protest.

2021: Léger Poll on Opposition to the Protest

A poll by Léger in Canada, conducted between February 4 and 6, 2022, found that 62% of respondents opposed the protest, with 47% strongly opposing it, while 32% supported it. 65% believed the convoy represented "a small minority of selfish Canadians" and 57% viewed it as an opportunity for right-wing groups to rally. The poll also highlighted varying levels of support among different demographics. Although this event is recorded as happening in 2022, it refers back to the events in 2021.

2021: Traffic volumes of transport trucks crossing Canada-US border had not decreased since truck drivers' vaccine mandate came into effect

According to Omar Alghabra, the Minister of Transport, since January 15, 2021 when the truck drivers' vaccine mandate came into effect, the traffic volumes of transport trucks crossing the Canada-US border had not decreased. Compared to the fall of 2021, based on Statistics Canada's figures, even with a "massive snowstorm, even though it was a U.S. holiday, we had almost 100,000 truckers cross the border".

2021: Indian Social Media Reaction to Trudeau's Protest Response

In 2021, Indian social media commentators, including actress Kangana Ranaut and sportsperson Surendra Poonia, criticized Canadian PM Trudeau's handling of the trucker protest, viewing it as Karma for his support of the 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest. They referenced his previous encouragement of Indian protestors.

January 13, 2022: Planning of Protest Route and Logistics

On January 13, 2022, Brigitte Belton, Chris Barber, and James Bauder participated in a Facebook live event to plan the route and logistics for the Canada convoy protest.

January 14, 2022: Fundraising Starts on GoFundMe

On January 14, 2022, fundraising for the Canada convoy protest began on GoFundMe, with Tamara Lich and B. J. Dichter listed as organizers.

January 15, 2022: Vaccination Requirement for Truck Drivers

Starting January 15, 2022, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated foreign national truck drivers were prohibited from entering Canada, and unvaccinated Canadian truck drivers faced a two-week quarantine upon entry, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada's announcement on November 19, 2021.

January 2022: Elon Musk's Tweets on Canadian Truckers and Government Response

In January 2022, Elon Musk expressed his support for the Canadian truckers' protest on Twitter, stating "Canadian truckers rule." He also suggested that the Canadian government's response to the protests was a path to tyranny and likened it to fascism. Musk's tweets sparked controversy and were later condemned by the American Jewish Committee and the Auschwitz Memorial.

January 22, 2022: Convoy Departure

On January 22, 2022, hundreds of vehicles from across Canada began their journey to Ottawa to protest COVID-19 mandates, particularly those affecting cross-border truck drivers.

January 28, 2022: CTV News Article on Convoy Goals

According to a January 28, 2022, CTV News article, Tamara Lich and Dichter, organizers of the Freedom Convoy, aimed to protest the January 15 federal cross-border COVID-19 vaccine mandate targeting long-haul truck drivers.

February 2, 2022: RCMP attempts to clear Coutts border blockade

On February 2, 2022, Alberta RCMP tried to clear the blockade at the Coutts border crossing by blocking access to the protest site and ordering participants to leave or face arrest. The operation was halted due to safety concerns and dangerous driving by protesters.

February 3, 2022: Romana Didulo Arrives in Ottawa

On February 3, 2022, Romana Didulo, a QAnon-linked conspiracy theorist who calls herself the "Queen of Canada", arrived in Ottawa with supporters during the Freedom Convoy protests.

February 4, 2022: Protests Arrive in Toronto

On February 4, 2022, vehicles and tractors arrived outside the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, marking the arrival of Freedom Convoy protests in the city. In anticipation of a large protest, Toronto Police started closing roads in the downtown and told residents to expect a larger police presence during the weekend.

February 9, 2022: Windsor Police Request Resources

On February 9, 2022, Windsor Police requested support from other police organizations due to increasing participants, around 100, and vehicles, between 50 and 70, involved in blocking the Ambassador Bridge.

February 11, 2022: Injunction against incessant noise in Edmonton

On February 11, 2022, an Alberta Court of Queen's Bench Justice granted an interim injunction prohibiting protest participants in Edmonton from causing incessant sound with horns and megaphones within city limits, following three consecutive Saturdays of protests.

February 13, 2022: GiveSendGo Website Hacked

On February 13, 2022, the GiveSendGo website, which was used to raise funds for the convoy, was hacked, and donor data was released. It was discovered the majority of the donations came from the United States.

February 14, 2022: Emergencies Act Invoked

On February 14, 2022, the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act to address the ongoing blockades and protests, granting law enforcement extraordinary powers.

February 15, 2022: Emerson, Manitoba border crossing cleared

On February 15, 2022, the blockage at the Emerson, Manitoba border crossing was cleared, resolving a significant disruption caused by the Freedom Convoy protests.

February 2022: Solidarity protests in the United Kingdom

In February 2022, a solidarity protest was organized in the United Kingdom, featuring a convoy driving from Scotland to London with stops in cities throughout the British Isles, along with other convoys reported in Wales and parts of England, showing international support for the Canadian Freedom Convoy.

February 17, 2022: Truckers Move to Champlain Township

On February 17, 2022, more than fifty trucks relocated to a truck stop in Champlain Township, near Vankleek Hill, after the Ottawa clearance, with plans to continue the convoy.

March 2022: Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency struck

Early in March 2022, a Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency (DEDC) of the Senate and the House of Commons was formed to investigate the events associated with it.

May 5, 2022: Suspension and Charges for Constable Erin Howard

On May 5, 2022, Durham Regional Police Service Constable Erin Howard, who supported the protesters in a video posted online in January, had her first court hearing over Zoom. She was suspended and faced six charges under the Police Services Act for discreditable conduct and insubordination. The proceeding was adjourned until June 2022.

May 20, 2022: People's Convoy disbands

On May 20, 2022, the People's Convoy in the United States disbanded and declared "victory" despite never reentering D.C. as planned. The American trucker convoy began on February 23 from California to Washington, D.C.

June 2022: Adjournment of Constable Erin Howard's Hearing

In June 2022, the court hearing for Durham Regional Police Service Constable Erin Howard, who was suspended for supporting the protesters in a video, was adjourned. The initial hearing was held on May 5, 2022, and she faced charges under the Police Services Act.

September 19, 2022: Public Order Emergency Commission Inquiry Start Date

The Public Order Emergency Commission, an independent inquiry into the invocation of the Emergencies Act, was initially scheduled to start on September 19, 2022, and run until October 28, 2022. The commission is headed by Justice Paul Rouleau.

October 2022: CSIS says no foreign actors funded convoy protests

In October 2022, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service said no foreign actors had funded or supported the convoy protests, addressing concerns about external influence on the movement.

October 28, 2022: Original End Date for Public Order Emergency Commission Hearings

October 28, 2022, was the initially scheduled end date for the public hearings of the Public Order Emergency Commission. Due to Justice Rouleau undergoing surgery to address a health issue, it is now expected to complete its public hearings on November 25, 2022.

November 25, 2022: Revised End Date for Public Order Emergency Commission Hearings

Due to Justice Rouleau undergoing surgery, the Public Order Emergency Commission's public hearings are now expected to complete on November 25, 2022. The inquiry is independent of the parliamentary review committee.

2022: Léger Poll on Opposition to the Protest

2022: Vox Pop Labs Study on Vaccine Mandates

A study conducted by Vox Pop Labs between January 4 and 10, 2022, found that around 70% of Canadians supported a general vaccine mandate for non-exempt adults over 18, while around 30% disagreed.

February 17, 2023: Public Order Emergency Commission releases report

On February 17, 2023, the Public Order Emergency Commission released its report, concluding that the threshold for invoking the Emergencies Act had been met.

February 20, 2023: Deadline for Public Order Emergency Commission Report

February 20, 2023, is the deadline by which the Public Order Emergency Commission must complete its report and submit it to Parliament. The inquiry is an independent investigation into the invocation of the Emergencies Act.

2023: Study finds RT covered the protests far more than any other outlet

A 2023 study by Caroline Orr Bueno found that RT covered the protests far more than any other outlet, indicating a disproportionate level of attention from the Russian state-controlled media on the Canadian Freedom Convoy.

January 23, 2024: Federal Court rules Emergencies Act use unreasonable

On January 23, 2024, Judge Richard Mosley of the Federal Court ruled that while the protest itself "reflected an unacceptable breakdown of public order," the use of the Emergencies Act was unreasonable, ultra vires, and had violated Section 2(b) and Section 8 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

February 6, 2024: Judge rules against protester's motion

On February 6, 2024, a judge ruled against a motion filed by convoy organizers to toss out a lawsuit. Superior Court Justice Calum MacLeod sided with Ottawa residents and businesses.

February 2024: Government appeals ruling on Emergencies Act

In February 2024, the Canadian government appealed the January 23, 2024, ruling that deemed the use of the Emergencies Act unreasonable and a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

November 22, 2024: Pat King convicted on criminal charges

On November 22, 2024, Pat King was convicted on five criminal charges including mischief and disobeying a court order, stemming from his involvement in the Freedom Convoy protests.

February 2025: Court of Appeal upholds dismissal of protester's motion

In February 2025, the Court of Appeal for Ontario upheld the dismissal of the motion filed by the protesters. The court found that the lower court ruling had properly balanced public interest in protest with the harm to downtown residents and businesses.

February 19, 2025: Pat King sentenced to house arrest

On February 19, 2025, Pat King was sentenced to three months' house arrest after being convicted on charges including mischief and disobeying a court order related to the Freedom Convoy protests.