LETTER

LETTRE

Open letter to G. Waldheim on trucker's convoy

 

I am surprised that you took the time to travel into Ontario and that you are disappointed in our national media's coverage of the " Occupation." With so many road blocks, ramp closures and bridges closed to the public including the downtown core on both sides of the river, from the very first Saturday, did you have to park and ride a bus or did you walk over a bridge?
    Amazing! Was it just like every other Saturday trek into the Nation's Capital?
    I never left my home. I do know that many folks from the Outaouais could not get into work due to the road blocks and closures.  Normal bus services were disrupted (on either side), re-routed, or canceled due to this so-called Freedom Convoy.
    Folks who work in health care, and who are stressed to the maximum, were insulted for their hard work and dedication -- they were just trying to get to their long hospital shifts. But no worries, you say on that Saturday, there was a very peaceful and quiet protest going on, on behalf of all Canadians fighting for "freedom."
    Actual patients with hospital appointments were agitated with the detours, as the truckers and protesters in the downtown were turning the protest into a "festive party - a free for all."
    Of the many folks who live in the Outaouais but work for minimum wage in Ottawa, some were very late for their shifts?  Many are not paid when they are not at work or late. Others gave up, it was so nerve-wracking! Some did make it to work because they, like many Canadians, have bills to pay, rent, mortgages, food, car payments, etc., pandemic or no pandemic. Many workers in the service and retail industries  lost their shifts because the store closed early due to protesters harassing staff.
    The same staff was following the health guidelines, vaccinated, safely distanced, and wearing a mask, like other responsible person around the world so that we all can get back to a normal life.  Staff members were told " take off your mask!"
    How is that rudeness and the loud "occupation" a step towards any person's freedom?  If a protester doesn't want to wear a mask that is their choice. Protest all they want!  " It's a free country."  But if an employee wants to wear their mask and continue following the health guidelines, that is their personal choice, too. Why bother them?
    Are we not all frustrated with Covid-19?   Yes.  There have  been many protests all over Canada in regards to Covid-19, yet this so-called ' Freedom Convoy'  has remained in the Nation's Capital, horns honking, fireworks exploding, dancing in the streets, bouncy castles --  and since neither you nor I live in that part of town, no problem.  On  regular days  folks travel peacefully to and from both provinces to work.
    Except for now and the three-ring circus on the Hill that our national media is not covering enough to your liking. It is a shame that our country is becoming a late night joke around the world in other media.
Linda Sparks
Aylmer