Canadian news outlet suggests Russia is behind ‘Freedom Convoy’ trucker protests

A Canadian news outlet is being criticized for suggesting that Russia is behind the popular “Freedom Convoy” protest, where truckers drove across the country in protest of a vaccine mandate. 

“I do ask that because given Canada’s support of Ukraine, in this current crisis with Russia, I don’t know if it’s far-fetched to ask,” CBC host Nil Koksal told Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino Friday. “But there is concern that Russian actors could be continuing to fuel things as this protest grows. But perhaps even instigating it from, from the outset.” 

Koksal didn’t offer any evidence to back up the theory or say who has raised such concern. Mendicino replied, “I’m gonna defer to our partners in the public safety, the trained officials and experts in that area.”

“What I can tell you is that we do have courses on site right now who are watching the conduct of this convoy very carefully. And we’re providing direction and guidance to residents to ensure that there is a peaceful protest but, at the same time, providing direction and guidance to residents,” Medocino added. 

Many social media users hit out at Koksal. “When in doubt, blame the ever elusive “Russian actors”!” Nick Short tweeted. Buzz Patterson Tweeted “Liberals have one beat: Russia, Russia, Russia.” Another user called “Ed” tweeted “On a scale of one to ten, how stupid do they think we are?”

The Freedom Convoy left Vancouver for Ottawa January 23rd to protest the federal government’s vaccine mandates for cross-border truckers and is calling for an end to coronavirus restrictions.