Trudeau Flees Ottawa as ‘Freedom Convoy’ Makes Its Way to Canada’s Capital City

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family have reportedly fled their home in Ottawa for “a secret location,” as thousands of truckers traveling in a “freedom convoy” to protest vaccine mandates made their way to its capital city.

Trudeau, who is in isolation after being exposed to coronavirus, left his home due to “security concerns,” according to the CBC.

“I learned that I have been exposed to COVID-19. My rapid test result was negative. I am following @OttawaHealth rules and isolating for five days. I feel fine and will be working from home,” Trudeau tweeted on Thursday. Social media users pointed out that his announcement came days before the trucker convoy hit Ottawa.

Trudeau characterized the convoy as a “small fringe minority” and said they held “unacceptable views” in the days leading up to Ottawa’s Saturday protest.

The Parliamentary Protective Service anticipated more than 10,000 people would be at the Ottawa protest.

The truckers have been traveling in a convoy protesting the country’s vaccine mandates for several days. Last October, Trudeau implemented a vaccine mandate for federal workers. On January 15, he instituted a vaccine mandate for all crossing the Canadian border in a move impacting truckers. President Joe Biden  implemented a similar mandate at the U.S. border earlier in the month.

The Canadian Trucker Alliance, which estimated at least 12,000 drivers are not vaccinated, does not support the truckers’ protest.

“It’s not just about the vaccines. It’s about stopping the public health mandates altogether,” said Daniel Bazinet, Valley Flatbed & Transportation owner in Nova Scotia.