East-coast leg of protest against vaccine mandate leaves Maritimes

The convoy started the day off before dawn with fireworks in Enfield, Nova Scotia. Trucker Jody Newell says he decided to join to protest cross border vaccine mandates targeting his industry.

We don't believe that the government should be forcing us to do something we don't want to do that could affect our health.

Samantha Monahan helped organize the East Coast leg of the protest. She says they're going to Ottawa with a message to stop all mandates and to just bring everybody together again and open up Canada and make it free. By late morning, the convoy arrived in Monkton with hundreds more turning out in support. What is this about? I think it's about people coming together. The Atlantic promises Trucking Association disapproves of the protest convoy. Their executive director, Jean Akita, is worried how it will affect an industry struggling with recruitment.

For the last two years, we're seen as heroes and a great industry and essential. So hopefully it won't leave too much of a negative impact, Mark, I should say. But these things can turn fast and look at how it's escalated. It's not even about trucking anywhere.

The convoy picked up more supporters just outside Frederickton. They'll continue to Riviera Deluxe Quebec, where they'll stop for the night. The Canadian Trucking Alliance has estimated that as many as 15% of truckers are not vaccinated against COVID-19. The convoy is expected to arrive in Ottawa on Saturday. Suzanne Point, Global.