The vehicle convoy leaving Ponoka on Saturday took 20 full minutes to depart. Dozens of big rigs were followed by many consumer vehicles, sporting Canadian flags, signs and slogans.
Ponoka RCMP members were on scene to help direct traffic. Several supporters came out to watch the vehicles leaving from the Co-Op Oils and Tim Hortons parking lot.
A convoy of an estimated 50 to 100 vehicles were anticipated to be a part of the convoy heading to Edmonton.
Ponoka County resident Anthony Froese said the convoy is in support of freedom convoy 2022 – that travelled from B.C. to Ottawa.
A COVID-19 vaccine mandate for truckers crossing into Canada from the United States came into effect Jan. 15. With this mandate, Canadian truckers must be vaccinated if they want to avoid quarantine and a pre-arrival molecular test, while unvaccinated American big-riggers are to be turned back at the border.
Froese, the organizer of the Ponoka area convoy, said although he isn’t personally anti-vax, the goal of the convoy to Edmonton is to “get some freedom.”
“Slowly, over two, even three years, we’ve been losing our freedoms,” said Froese, adding that people should be able to visit with their families on holidays and birthdays.
Froese said although he doesn’t believe the convoy will accomplish an end to public health mandates, that things need to get back to how they were before COVID-19.
“Things need to change.”
READ MORE: Thousands gather on Parliament Hill for protest against vaccine mandates
Saturday afternoon, Alberta RCMP tweeted they were aware of events planned across the province that would cause traffic issues.
“Alberta RCMP are aware that there are events taking place across Alberta that are causing traffic disruptions throughout the day. We’re engaged to ensure the safety of Albertans and to maintain public safety,” RCMP wrote.
“Our objective is to work to restore the flow of traffic in a safe manner.”
Police also issued a travel advisory for Highway 2 northbound.
“Alberta RCMP are issuing a travel advisory that travel in the QEII northbound lanes from Didsbury to Edmonton will have heavy congestion and slow moving traffic throughout the day. It is anticipated this will move to the southbound lanes of the QEII south of Edmonton this evening,” RCMP wrote.
