Rolling protest drives through Elliot Lake

Cars and pickup trucks wound their way through the streets of Elliot Lake Saturday to protest what is being called a loss of freedom for Canadians due to decisions by the federal and provincial governments.

“It’s a rolling protest and it’s a rally for freedom,” said organizer Blain McElrea at the starting point for the convoy on Oakland Boulevard. “Logically speaking it makes more sense to advocate for our rights and freedoms in a peaceable way.”

A total of 24 vehicles took part in the convoy that ended with a meet-and-greet at Dunlop Lodge.

McElrea, described by some as a freedom advocate, said the local demonstrations are meant to keep people informed through “peaceful” methods to restrict government interference in their daily lives.

Saturday’s convoy was not organized by the City of Elliot Lake.

He also pointed out that the truck demonstration held in Ottawa showed some faults in the way it was held and the difficulties it caused for Ottawa residents and businesses in the city’s core.

“It (COVID mandates) allowed our rights and freedoms to be stripped without any objection (and) only emboldens our officials to be more heavy-handed by stripping more rights and making the temporary restrictions permanent. They started small as face coverings and ended with job loss, careers, businesses, income livelihood, education and prohibited travel,” he said, referring to the mandate that halted unvaccinated truck drivers from crossing into the United States and losing their livelihood. “The travesty in Ottawa gave the freedom movement a black eye due to poor planning and failing to consider the residents of Ottawa."

“The idea of being mobile is that we’re not blocking or barricading anyone or causing anybody any stress—you know, people get anxious. We’re keeping it peaceable; we’re keeping it mobile; we’re keeping it friendly, and we have a message that we’re fighting for our rights and freedoms and it’s that simple,” he said of the freedom convoy and how it was organized.

The convoy was shadowed by an OPP vehicle to ensure it was carried out securely. The officers in an unmarked cruiser said they would also talk with people opposed to the convoy and its message if that was required along the route. No concerns were later issued by the OPP about conduct.

“We have no doubt this was done with good intentions but over the two years it’s become more punitive and we’re asking for relief from the discrimination,” McElrea said of Covid restrictions and the impact they had on daily lives.

McElrea has held two peaceable freedom related events in the aftermath of Ottawa and plans to share what he has learned on how best to demonstrate safely and effectively by establishing a guide of "best practices" with oversite from the OPP and the city mayor.

"This is not the time to fight among ourselves in petty dispute but to band together like never before,” he stated in an email. "Our pledge to our community is to learn from these important lessons and to do better. Our first message is to explain and to prove we aren't another Ottawa. We have been quite successful by maintaining the peace and by respecting and upholding law and order. While there is nothing we can do to fix the past, we certainly can ensure that our actions going forward come with the appropriate level of planning and cooperation with our communities."

He is planning to hold rallies in front of city hall and the offices of MP Carol Hughes and MPP Michael Mantha and to organize local participation in a Canada-wide truck convoy planned for the end of April.