The Winter of Our Discontent: Truckers’ Convoy Seeking Return of Liberty Elicits Hope, Amasses Support

Trucks participating in a cross-country convoy protesting COVID-19 mandates and restrictions are parked on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Jan. 28, 2022. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

Commentary

Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York

The opening lines of Shakespeare’s “Richard III” express the villainous intent of the twisted and opportunistic Duke of Gloucester, of the House of York, to seize the crown from his brother’s son and legitimate heir through deceit and treachery. Richard is one of Shakespeare’s blackest villains.

As I write, in the bleak winter conditions of Canada, a 70-kilometre convoy of trucks is descending upon Ottawa from across Canada and the United States. It has been moving inexorably for days. The spark of this conflagration is the Canadian government’s latest mandate, that truckers henceforth be double-vaxxed to be allowed across the Canada-U.S. border.