QUÉBEC CITY, QC: The Justice Centre has sent its Québec-based lawyer, Samuel Bachand, to Québec City this morning to offer free legal information and advice to members of the truckers’ Freedom Convoy.
At 10:30 a.m., in -15oC weather, about a thousand demonstrators were marching around the parliament buildings in a carnival-like atmosphere. Dozens of trucks were parked along a 700-metre stretch of René-Lévesque Boulevard, their horns blaring as passersby cheered.
A Freedom Convoy 2022 volunteer lamented the refusal of the Quebec City Police Department (SPVQ) to allow portable toilets near the Tourny Fountain and canteens to be installed in a private parking lot offered to truckers by the owner.
« The Justice Centre was able to discuss this situation with officers stationed at the site and inquire about the reasons for their refusal, » reports Mr. Bachand. « We took note of the municipal by-law and invited the SPVQ to show restraint before intervening physically. We hope that the SPVQ will exercise its discretion in a benevolent manner. We are confident that the demonstrators, for their part, will succeed in maintaining the peaceful and festive nature of the convoy. »
Many young families joined the march, with their children in strollers or sleds, in many cases holding up homemade signs. Wishes of freedom abounded: « I want to breathe », « Freedom is my right », « Enough ».
The Justice Centre will remain on site through Sunday. More details to follow.
