QUÉBEC CITY, QC: The Justice Centre has sent its Québec-based lawyer, Samuel Bachand, to Québec City this morning to offer free legal information and advice to members of the truckers’ Freedom Convoy.
At 10:30 a.m., in -15oC weather, about a thousand demonstrators were marching around the parliament buildings in a carnival-like atmosphere. Dozens of trucks were parked along a 700-metre stretch of René-Lévesque Boulevard, their horns blaring as passersby cheered.
A Freedom Convoy 2022 volunteer lamented the refusal of the Quebec City Police Department (SPVQ) to allow portable toilets near the Tourny Fountain and canteens to be installed in a private parking lot offered to truckers by the owner.
“The Justice Centre was able to discuss this situation with officers stationed at the site and inquire about the reasons for their refusal,” reports Mr. Bachand. “We took note of the municipal by-law and invited the SPVQ to show restraint before intervening physically. We hope that the SPVQ will exercise its discretion in a benevolent manner. We are confident that the demonstrators, for their part, will succeed in maintaining the peaceful and festive nature of the convoy.”
Many young families joined the march, with their children in strollers or sleds, in many cases holding up homemade signs. Wishes of freedom abounded: “I want to breathe”, “Freedom is my right”, “Enough”.
The Justice Centre will remain on site through Sunday. More details to follow.
