Episode

An American-Style Protest in Canada
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34:44
Published: Wed Feb 16 2022
Description

Canada has employed strict restrictions in its efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic. But unlike in the United States, such measures have received very little pushback or politicization — until recently.Truckers protesting a vaccine mandate have occupied the nation’s capital, Ottawa, for three weeks, leading Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to declare a state of national emergency.We ask how Canada got to this point, and hear what the protest is like on the ground. Guest: Catherine Porter, the Toronto bureau chief for The New York Times.Have you lost a loved one during the pandemic? The Daily is working on a special episode memorializing those we have lost to the coronavirus. If you would like to share their name on the episode, please RECORD A VOICE MEMO and send it to us at [email protected]. You can find more information and specific instructions here.Background reading: The trucker protests seem to challenge the cherished image that Canadians are moderate, rule-following and just plain nice. But was that really a myth all along?The fractious coalition behind Canada’s protests include former law enforcement officers, military veterans and conservative organizers. Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, subscribe to our newsletter. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

Chapters
Truckers are protesting against vaccination mandates and pandemic restrictions in Canada, leading to a standoff with the government.
00:00 - 04:35 (04:35)
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COVID restrictions
Summary

Truckers are protesting against vaccination mandates and pandemic restrictions in Canada, leading to a standoff with the government. Emergency powers have been invoked by the Prime Minister to end the standoff in the capital city.

Episode
An American-Style Protest in Canada
Podcast
The Daily
Despite public adherence to lockdown rules, elected officials face severe consequences, such as losing cabinet positions, when caught breaking said rules as emphasized in the case of politicians who went on vacation over Christmas during a lockdown.
04:35 - 11:16 (06:40)
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Politics
Summary

Despite public adherence to lockdown rules, elected officials face severe consequences, such as losing cabinet positions, when caught breaking said rules as emphasized in the case of politicians who went on vacation over Christmas during a lockdown. Most parts of the country follow the science and public health guidelines, leading to the enforcement of strict policies even by conservative local governments.

Episode
An American-Style Protest in Canada
Podcast
The Daily
Reports of extremist flags and conspiracy theories surfaced during the Canadian trucker protest against COVID-19 restrictions including flags from alt-right groups like the Sons of Odin, those with Nazi symbols and Confederate flags, some bearing anti-vaccine sentiments and anti-government conspiracy theories.
11:16 - 20:30 (09:13)
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Canadian trucker protest
Summary

Reports of extremist flags and conspiracy theories surfaced during the Canadian trucker protest against COVID-19 restrictions including flags from alt-right groups like the Sons of Odin, those with Nazi symbols and Confederate flags, some bearing anti-vaccine sentiments and anti-government conspiracy theories.

Episode
An American-Style Protest in Canada
Podcast
The Daily
The concept of freedom is deeply ingrained in American culture and is often used as a rallying cry, while it may not hold the same cultural significance in Canada.
20:31 - 24:17 (03:46)
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American Culture
Summary

The concept of freedom is deeply ingrained in American culture and is often used as a rallying cry, while it may not hold the same cultural significance in Canada.

Episode
An American-Style Protest in Canada
Podcast
The Daily
Amid the frustration and tension caused by the government's handling of the pandemic, people on the right and left in Canada are coming together to form a new group, beyond traditional party lines, with the potential to become a new political movement.
24:18 - 32:53 (08:34)
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Canada
Summary

Amid the frustration and tension caused by the government's handling of the pandemic, people on the right and left in Canada are coming together to form a new group, beyond traditional party lines, with the potential to become a new political movement. It remains to be seen if this is a passing outburst or a defining moment for Canadian politics.

Episode
An American-Style Protest in Canada
Podcast
The Daily
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the withdrawal of troops from the Ukrainian border, but the United States and its allies remain cautious given the lack of verification that the soldiers have returned home.
32:53 - 34:40 (01:47)
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Ukraine
Summary

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the withdrawal of troops from the Ukrainian border, but the United States and its allies remain cautious given the lack of verification that the soldiers have returned home. Meanwhile, Remington has reached a $73 million settlement with families of the Sandy Hook massacre victims over the manufacture of the gun used in the attack.

Episode
An American-Style Protest in Canada
Podcast
The Daily