The same day that Trudeau announced he was going into hiding, Ontario police shut down parts of Highway 17 (part of the Trans-Canada Highway) ahead of the trucker convoy making its way to Ottawa.
According to emerging news reports, police have taken the initiative to close Highway 17 from Batchawana Bay to White River due to poor weather conditions, despite those on the road reporting clear driving conditions.
“Weather conditions on HWY 17 Both Directions between Batchawana Bay and WHITE RIVER BR. All lanes closed. Hwy 17 closed from Batchawana Bay to White River due to weather conditions,” Ontario 511, a website owned by the Ministry of Transportation, reads.
ROAD CLOSED: Government has cited treacherous weather, and the convoy may be stopped in its tracks. pic.twitter.com/NvqYaEy35N
— Unacceptable Bexte (@TheRealKeean) January 27, 2022
It just so happens that this route is the most straightforward path from Thunder Bay to Ottawa and will greatly derail the progress of the more than 70km long convoy, which will now need to coordinate efforts and reroute through lesser-known paths that lead to those roads connected to Ottawa.
Indeed, to avoid utilizing Highway 17, truckers will now likely take Highway 11, adding hours to their trip and skipping both Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, and North Bay, where Canadians are preparing lodging and warm welcomes for the road-warn freedom fighters.
Freedom trucker convoy making it’s way through Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada today on the way to Ottawa to protest mandates and restrictions. pic.twitter.com/Se1teHnX7j
— Marie Oakes (@TheMarieOakes) January 27, 2022
These people braved the cold to hand out lunches to individuals part of the convoy.
These are the people the media and Justin Trudeau are currently disparaging. pic.twitter.com/LIgqUq7UI8
— Marie Oakes (@TheMarieOakes) January 27, 2022
With all that said, though this will delay the trucker convoy, it will not prevent it from reaching its destination.
Drone view of the freedom trucker convoy in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
The convoy is making it’s way to Ottawa to protest mandates and restrictions in the country.#FreedomConvoy2022 @BezirganMocha pic.twitter.com/LfDsmEi6A8
— Marie Oakes (@TheMarieOakes) January 26, 2022
Moreover, as Trudeau plans to hide for five days, this will only increase the likelihood he has to face truckers, as the time truckers will have to protest before such a meeting will be reduced.
