The trucker protest that paralyzed the nation’s capital for weeks not only destroyed Taryn Earle’s home, but a childhood friendship she had for nearly 40 years.
A resident of Ottawa, Earle saw her apartment building broken into by some of the demonstrators who formed part of the trucker convoy, many of whom came in to throw out their trash or use laundry machines to wash their clothes. Travelling anywhere in the city alone felt unsafe, Earle said, as she recalled protesters circling her neighbourhood on their trucks, blaring their horns, revving their engines and taunting people as they walked by.
Conditions became so unbearable that Earle ended up relocating just one week into the protest.
But what made matters worse was knowing a life-long friend supported a cause that was bringing harm to her and her community.
“It was happening in real-time and I was telling him about it,” she told CTVNews.ca during a phone interview on Wednesday. “I could not believe that he was planting roots in a movement that was terrorizing me.
“That’s what it felt like for the people in the neighbourhood because it was scary.”
Earle’s friend, a vaccinated truck driver who regularly crosses the Canada-U.S. border for work, took part in the protest on Parliament Hill and participated in the truck convoy that lined the streets of Ottawa’s downtown core for weeks.
When Earle tried confronting him about the fear and intimidation this was causing some residents, he largely denied it, she said.
“He said, ‘No, this is a peaceful protest and…there’s bouncy castles and there’s children,” Earle said.
While the demonstration started as a way of protesting against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other public health measures brought about by the pandemic, it was quickly co-opted into an anti-government movement and became anything but peaceful, said Earle.
“When the leaders merged with the intent to usurp the government and openly preached about what they believe to be white genocide…your grassroots protest on COVID mandates ended,” she said. “I just could not remain friends with someone who stood by that as it evolved.”
Because of this, Earle said she now finds herself mourning the loss of a friendship she’s had since kindergarten.
“We grew up with the same values [and] a block apart, down the street from each other,” she said. “I don’t know him anymore.”
Earle is just one of many Canadians who wrote to CTVNews.ca about disagreements with loved ones over the protests that took over the nation’s capital and other cities across Canada.
While police enforcement efforts have left Ottawa largely free from trucks and convoy protesters, and blockades at border crossings have been alleviated, it’s clear that for a number of Canadians, tensions still remain between family and friends. Differences of opinion have left family members divided and friendships strained, with some ultimately deciding to cut ties with loved ones as a result.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Valerie Andruszkiewicz said she and her siblings have been in constant conflict over the virus. After having been infected with COVID-19 herself, Andruszkiewicz said she faced skepticism from family members who doubted that she contracted the virus at all.
Following nearly two months of recovery, Andruszkiewicz said she’s still experiencing symptoms of long COVID.
“Discussing it with my family has been frustrating,” she wrote in an email to CTVNews.ca on Feb. 7. “Discussions are often short and angry.”
But news of the trucker protest taking place in Ottawa, with demonstrators rallying against vaccine mandates and other COVID-19 restrictions, broke any remaining ties Andruszkiewicz had with her brother in particular. She described the protest as “trivial” considering the United States requires all non-Americans crossing its land borders to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and pandemic lockdown measures fall largely under provincial jurisdiction.
The disruptive behaviour of protesters, which included defacing a statue of Terry Fox and dancing on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, both situated in front of Parliament Hill, was also upsetting to see, said Andruszkiewicz, who lived in Ottawa’s east end for 20 years before moving south of the city.
“Seeing the damage to the statues and monuments, to me, was so disrespectful,” she wrote. “I brought this to my brother’s attention. He, in turn, called me an ‘idiot’ for being so upset over something so insignificant.”
She believes that conversation was the last she’ll have with her brother, she said, who also unfriended her on Facebook.
“I don’t know him anymore and honestly…I am OK with that,” she wrote. “I don’t need such negative people in my life, even if they are family.”
MISINFORMATION SURROUNDING COVID-19
Kristen Harper, a registered nurse, has faced a similar kind of skepticism from her relatives, with family members who “believe that COVID isn’t real [and] wholly support this trucker convoy.”
Having worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as a health-care worker, Harper said she is “completely burnt out,” and watching loved ones take part in the protest has forced her to cut ties with them.
“As I finish a 16-hour shift with very ill COVID patients and then see family members protesting and supporting all of these agendas that will undoubtedly take more lives, drag this pandemic on longer, and make an already hard job much harder for exhausted health-care workers, my patience has run out,” she wrote in an email to CTVNews.ca on Feb. 7.
While she acknowledges that Canadians may be exhausted from the pandemic and related public health measures, lifting all COVID-19 restrictions would allow the virus to run rampant and possibly mutate into something more dangerous, she said.
“If people out on the street protesting could see what we see inside an ICU, they would be changing their tune,” she said.
Based in Ontario’s York Region, Melanie Templeman said she has been having a tough time getting through to family members when it comes to discussing the science behind the COVID-19 virus and vaccines, particularly her in-laws. Even with an educational background in microbiology and virology, attempts to examine medical research and studies are met with misinformation, she said.
“I’ve wasted so much breath trying to explain the science,” she wrote in an email to CTVNews.ca on Feb. 10. “It falls on deaf ears that refuse to accept any information from a legitimate scientist or news outlet as anything but ‘fake news.’”
The recent “Freedom Convoy” has taken things to a new level, Templeman said, with relatives often sharing this misinformation online and expressing support for the protests.
“The mere fact that all their social media is ablaze with snarky memes, ridiculous misinformation and slanderous accusations against media and political figures has made me unfollow them,” she wrote.
Witnessing the disruption caused by some protesters and blockades in cities across Canada has made it difficult to maintain ties with anyone who defends this behaviour, including her own family members, Templeman said.
“I cannot hold anyone in any respect for supporting people who are hurting their fellow citizens and neighbours by honking horns incessantly [and] blockading streets and businesses,” said Templeman. “All the while chanting, ‘Peace, love and unity.’”
USING SYMBOLS OF OPPRESSION ‘IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM’
For Erika N., who asked that her last name not be used, the COVID-19 pandemic had already put a strain on a friendship she’s had for most of her life. This friend, she said, was not supportive of COVID-19 vaccine mandates or lockdown measures implemented to curb the spread of the virus, while also denying the severity of COVID-19 as a whole.
But for Erika, the “Freedom Convoy” was what pushed her over the edge and led her to sever ties with the friend she’s had for more than 20 years.
“I’m a visible minority, and both my parents are immigrants,” she wrote in an email to CTVNews.ca on Feb. 7. “The ‘freedom convoy’ was the last straw for me.”
During the protest, Confederate flags and Nazi symbolism were seen paraded by some demonstrators. Seeing this imagery in Ottawa, where she lives, was upsetting, Erika said.
“Some people say they’re not racist but they’re supporting the use of those flags for this particular protest,” she said in a phone interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. “It’s ironic to me that you’re supporting something that represents oppression in the name of freedom.”
After posting in support of the trucker protest on social media, Erika’s friend explained that, “the Confederate flag was a sign of rebellion, and that the swastikas were not being used as anti-Jew, but rather as a symbol of what we could be headed towards.” Erika says she assumed this was in reference to how those of Jewish background were treated in the years leading up to and including the Second World War.
“To accept symbols that are synonymous with slavery, genocide, and hate, and to suggest that the mandates are even comparable to what Jewish people went through, was just disgusting to me,” wrote Erika. “How do you stay friends after that?”
Cecilia Swanson also recently ended an eight-year friendship over what she said was the “white privilege” associated with protests.
Her former friend supported those protesting as part of the “Freedom Convoy.” Pointing to the use of flags with hate symbols and a video of protesters dancing on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Swanson said she felt the need to call out her friend’s privilege in being able to protest in the first place.
“The double standards for freedom, the right to protest, and overall behaviour from the protesters is appalling,” she wrote to CTVNews.ca in an email on Feb. 7. “I am so ashamed to be Canadian.”
While she said she sympathizes with those who want public health measures to be lifted, they exist as a means of keeping the public safe, she said.
“Have some been extreme? Perhaps. But experts are learning about this virus as fast as they can keep the public informed,” she wrote. “Do we forget they are also human?”
LOSING FRIENDS OVER CONVOY SUPPORT
While many Canadians submitted stories about severing ties with those who supported the trucker protest, Gayle Rawley said she was on the receiving end of this after her aunt decided to end their relationship.
Rawley explained the reason for this stemmed from her belief that Canadians should have the right to choose whether or not they want to be vaccinated, as opposed to being mandated to get their shots in order to keep their job, for example.
“My aunt that I’ve been very close to for 55 years…has written me off because I believe in the right to choose,” she wrote in an email to CTVNews.ca on Feb. 7.
For Rawley, the issue lies in the freedom to choose being taken away from Canadians through the enforcement of vaccine mandates. This has caused a rift between her and her aunt due to their difference in beliefs.
“I don’t condemn anyone for their right to get the vaccine nor do I condemn them if they choose not to get it,” she wrote. “I do, however, condemn the powers that be for bringing such division [through] their convoluted rules.
“What happened to freedom of expression and my own personal right to choose and believe what I believe in?”
While she said she misses her aunt, she understands it’s her right to choose whether or not she still wants to maintain contact, Rawley said.
EDMONTON – Canada’s Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault is apologizing after shifting claims about his Indigenous identity came under scrutiny.
The Liberal member of Parliament said at an unrelated announcement in Edmonton on Friday that he’s sorry he wasn’t as clear as he could have been “with everything that I know now.”
“I apologize that I wasn’t as clear as I could have been about who I am and my family’s history,” he said, adding that he’s still learning about his family’s heritage “in real time.”
Boissonnault has previously referred to himself as “non-status adopted Cree” and said his great-grandmother was a “full-blooded Cree woman.”
He said Friday he’ll have to confirm his great-grandmother’s status, but his mother and brother are citizens of the Métis Nation of Alberta.
“I apologize if that particular way of referring to myself — I apologize that it was inaccurate.”
It comes after the National Post reported that a company co-owned by Boissonnault unsuccessfully bid on two federal contracts in 2020 while identifying itself as Indigenous and Aboriginal-owned.
The government has pledged to award five per cent of its procurement contracts to Indigenous-owned businesses.
Since that story’s publication last week, Boissonnault has said the family he was adopted into has Indigenous ancestry and his adopted mother and brother are status Métis.
Boissonnault said Friday he never claimed any Indigenous status to his business partner, Stephen Anderson.
“Mr. Anderson should never have claimed that on the particular contract application, and no contract was awarded,” he said.
Boissonnault has previously sat as a member of the Liberal Indigenous Caucus, but he said he joined it as an ally representing many Indigenous people in his community.
When asked about the Liberals’ past claims about his Indigenous identity, he said he corrected the party and asked for the descriptions to be changed as soon as he became aware.
“I never asked the party to refer to me as an Indigenous person. I never clicked any box in any form with the Liberal party. I have never put (an) Indigenous claim to any contract or any application in my entire life,” he said.
The Conservative party has said it wants Boissonnault to testify before the ethics committee so he can “answer truthfully for these serious allegations of fraud.”
“This is even more urgent given the new allegations that his company fraudulently claimed to be Indigenous-owned while applying for government contracts,” said Conservative MP Michael Barrett.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 15, 2024.
The Internet’s most powerful ability is its propensity to spread. This holiday season, amidst the hustle of shopping, party planning, and reflections, let’s use this power to spread joy and generosity. This December, I invite you to transform your social media feeds into a canvas of goodwill, reminding your followers and communities that even small acts of kindness can create waves of joy and inspiration.
Before you dive into creating festive holiday content, it’s crucial to set the stage by updating the aesthetics of your social media profiles to mirror the holiday season. Using Canva (www.canva.com), refresh your banner/cover photo on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. with holiday-themed images. Change your profile picture to one that captures the festive spirit, such as wearing a Santa hat, standing next to a Christmas tree, or under Christmas lights, or wearing a Christmas sweater.
Once your social media profiles reflect your festive mood, consider the following suggestions to inspire others to get into the holiday spirit.
The 12 Days of Kindness Challenge
The English Christmas carol, “The 12 Days of Christmas,” inspired this suggestion, a “12 Days of Kindness” challenge. Starting 12 days before Christmas, or whenever you want, commit to doing one act of kindness daily. It could be paying for someone’s coffee, leaving a heartfelt note for a neighbour, donating to a local charity, or dropping off baked goods at a senior home. Post pictures of each act on your social media channels with the hashtag #12DaysOfKindness. Encourage your followers and tag your friends to do the same, thereby creating a chain reaction of goodwill that spreads far beyond your immediate circle.
Support Local Charities with a Virtual Fundraiser
Use your social media clout to raise money for a local charity by hosting a virtual fundraiser. Invite your followers and friends to join you in a fun activity, like a virtual trivia night or bake-off. Promote donations to a charity of your choice and share updates on the progress. In addition to building community spirit, promoting local causes demonstrates the power of collective action.
Random Acts of Kindness Bingo
Create a bingo card, which you can use Canva to create, filled with random acts of kindness, such as “compliment a stranger,” “donate clothes,” or “help a neighbour.” Once created, post the card on your social media and invite others to join you in completing the challenges throughout the month. As you check off your squares, share photos or stories of your experiences, tagging friends and followers to keep the momentum going. The visual aspect of a bingo card makes it fun and engaging, encouraging participation.
Gratitude and Kindness Posts
Incorporate gratitude into your kindness initiatives by encouraging your followers to share posts about something they’re thankful for and how they plan to pay it forward. Use a specific hashtag, like #ThankfulAndKind, to unify these posts. As people share their gratitude and commitment to kindness, you’ll create a powerful positivity narrative that inspires others to reflect on their lives and actions.
Acts of Kindness Story Swap
Engage your audience by hosting a ‘kindness story swap.’ Invite your followers to share their stories of kindness—either acts they’ve done or experiences they’ve had. Create a specific day for these stories and use a designated hashtag like #KindnessSwap. By facilitating the sharing of stories and uplifting your followers, you’ll be connecting people and building a sense of community, which is what social media should be used for.
Kindness Challenge Videos
Challenge your followers to create short videos showcasing their acts of kindness. This could include anything from helping a neighbour with groceries to volunteering at a local shelter. Encourage them to tag you and others in their posts using a hashtag like #KindnessChallenge. Sharing video content is an effective way to spread your message while inspiring others to get involved.
Holiday Cards for Seniors
During the holidays, seniors living in retirement homes often feel isolated. Initiate a “Holiday Cards for Seniors” campaign by encouraging your followers to create and send handmade holiday cards to local retirement homes. List several local retirement homes on your social media and encourage your followers to share photos of their card-making. This simple act will not only brighten someone’s day but also foster cross-generational connections.
Kindness knows no boundaries. In addition to spreading joy, social media offers a powerful tool to foster community and encourage acts of kindness. No matter how small, each act of kindness contributes to a larger narrative of compassion, which the world desperately needs more of. Imagine the joy on a senior’s face when they receive a holiday card or the warmth in a neighbour’s heart when they receive a compliment. Creating and hosting these kindness challenges and sharing your acts of kindness experiences—giving and receiving—will enrich your life and strengthen your community.
This December let’s embrace the spirit of kindness—online and offline. Your social media feeds can become a gallery of kindness, with posts and shares illustrating the joys of doing acts of kindness, making this holiday season a time of connection, generosity, and lasting impact.
HACHINOHE, Japan – Ivanie Blondin helped Canada to a team sprint gold medal before picking up an individual bronze Friday as Canada opened the long-track speedskating season with three medals at the ISU Four Continents championships.
Ottawa’s Blondin combined with Carolina Hiller of Prince George, B.C., and Béatrice Lamarche of Quebec City to win the women’s team sprint in a track record time of one minute 27.87 seconds.
Lamarche used the slingshot technique to launch Blondin into the final lap, which helped the trio maintain their speed. While the move worked, Lamarche said it could be improved.
“The slingshot move felt better yesterday in practice, but it was not at high speed. Maybe we looked smooth, but I personally felt weird and rushed throughout the entire process,” Lamarche said. “I’m excited to try it again during the World Cup in China because I think it can be better.”
South Korea was 1.39 seconds off the pace for silver, while Kazakhstan was 2.49 seconds back of the winners to take bronze.
Later, the 34-year-old Blondin took bronze in the women’s 1,500 metres with a time of 1:57.99.
Japan’s Miho Takagi (1:54.86) and China’s Mei Han (1:56.53) took gold and silver, respectively.
“I feel pretty good about my 1,500,” Blondin said. “I was not able to warm down following the team sprint as we went straight to the medal ceremony. By the time that was over I had to put my skin suit on and get back on the ice.”
“I didn’t have the pop that I normally would — but midway through the race I realized things were going well and my legs were actually feeling pretty decent,” she added. “I was happy with the end time.”
Canada reached the podium for a third time as Anders Johnson of Burnaby, B.C., Laurent Dubreuil of Lévis, Que., and Yankun Zhao of Calgary, Alta., finished third in the men’s team sprint.
The United States (1:19.43) and China (1:19.78) finished ahead of Canada, the defending world champion and world record holder in the discipline.
“I think it was a good race for us,” Johnson said. “It was a new setup for our team today and we executed well and skated well. We’re happy with the result and excited to see what comes in the future.”
The championships continue Saturday with Blondin, Dubreuil, Calgary’s Ted-Jan Bloemen, Valérie Maltais of La Baie, Que., and Ottawa’s Isabelle Weidemann looking to add to Canada’s medal total.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 15, 2024.
