The Canadian Embassy in Washington internal emails disclosed it was under scrutiny by watchful US officials over handling of vaccine mandates on truckers. Staff cited “inquiries from the White House” just days before the Freedom Convoy blockade..“US side expressed interest in learning from our first few days’ experience,” diplomats wrote in emails released through Access To Information. There were “inquiries from the White House” regarding a January 15 Canadian deadline that truck drivers crossing the international border show proof of vaccination under threat of quarantine..According to Blacklock's Reporter, only days before the deadline on January 11 staff at the Embassy met with unnamed American officials “at the request of the United States” to discuss the mandate..“Canadian representatives spoke extensively to the attention we are paying to monitoring and mitigating potential impacts of the measures we will put in place as of January 15,” wrote staff..Opposition to vaccine mandates prompted the January 28 Freedom Convoy blockade outside Parliament that continued to February 23. Cabinet has maintained it invoked the Emergencies Act due to public disorder, not pressure from the United States..Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the time described protesters as people who believe “conspiracy theories about microchips, about God knows what else that go with tin foil hats.".“Canadians were shocked and frankly disgusted by the behavior displayed by some people protesting in our nation’s capital,” said Trudeau. “I want to be very clear. We are not intimidated by those who hurl insults and abuse.” The prime minister provided no specific examples..“There is no right to incite violence, to perform acts of violence or to spew hatred,” said Trudeau. “I think anyone who is part of this group who is disgusted by what the folks protesting alongside are doing need to step up and take responsibility.”.“Will you or anyone from your government meet with them?” asked a reporter. “My focus is standing with Canadians,” replied Trudeau..Cabinet subsequently amended vaccine mandates for cross-border drivers. A December 7 proposal to require proof of vaccination for interprovincial drivers was dismissed..Justification for cabinet’s invocation of the Emergencies Act is the subject of a judicial inquiry, the Public Order Emergency Commission, convening in Ottawa September 19..Cabinet at the time leveled accusations at protesters subsequently proven false including attempted arson, sexual assault, criminal fundraising, desecration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and plotting a “coordinated attack which was clearly criminally intended to harm Canada,” Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair told reporters February 16.
