The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced that unvaccinated truckers are allowed to cross the United States border. Trucking lobbyists had put heavy pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to end this mandate as it would increase driver and supply shortages, disrupt trade, and contribute to rising inflation.
Over two-thirds or C$650 billion ($511 billion) of trade between Canada and the US occurs via road, and any disturbance would have significant consequences. In fact, the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) estimated that vaccine mandates would have forced up to 10% (16,000 truckers) off the road. The Canadian government had deemed truckers essential workers and did not previously require vaccinations throughout the pandemic. Similar to Biden’s vaccine mandate, the government waited until the last minute to announce that the mandate was void.
People are unhappy. Inflation is at an all-time high and supplies are running low. Eliminating this unnecessary mandate for truckers was essential for Trudeau to hold on to the last of his constituents. The government is beginning to realize that they do not have complete control over the people. Resistance is not futile!
