Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attacked patriotic Canadians who participated in nationwide truck convoy rallies on Jan. 29, but Premier Scott Moe praised truckers for their upstanding efforts during the pandemic.
Moe also hinted that so-called vaccine passports would be eliminated “in the not-too-distant future.”
In a letter posted on social media, Moe thanked truckers, farmers and individuals who have contributed to keeping communities operating during the last two years. He commended them for delivering food and household products that people use every day, the parts and equipment that keep farms and industries running, and other types of goods and products out there.
“If you bought something today, a trucker delivered it,” Moe said. “You also deserve a special thank you for everything you have done over the past two years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Not much was known about this type of coronavirus during the early days of the pandemic, which led to the shutdown of most of society and governments telling people to stay home, he continued. However, truckers kept rolling and working despite the risks because society relied on them to keep shelves stocked, the economy going and communities open.
“Truckers stepped up and kept on hauling; they crossed provincial borders and they crossed the U.S. border. You did this prior to rapid tests, prior to early intervention treatments, and prior to vaccines,” Moe added. “You took the necessary precautions, you kept yourselves and those around you safe, and you delivered the things the people of Saskatchewan needed to live.”
Moe made clear that he supported vaccines, noting that he is fully vaccinated and has taken the third booster shot. While this did not prevent him from contracting COVID-19 recently, he believes that it kept him from becoming sick.
“I really had no symptoms at all, other than cabin fever from being stuck in my house for several days,” he remarked.
This experience is similar to what other vaccinated people have felt, and while vaccinations don’t prevent people from contracting the virus, it does prevent most from becoming seriously ill, Moe continued. That is why he continued to encourage residents to acquire a vaccination since he does not want anyone to become seriously ill.
“That said, because vaccination is not reducing transmission, the current federal border policy for truckers makes no sense. An unvaccinated trucker does not pose any greater risk of transmission than a vaccinated trucker,” he said.
However, Moe thought the current federal policy posed a significant risk to Canada’s economy and the supply chain in Saskatchewan. He believed that the policy would increase the cost of living, which is currently rising at a rate that creates major hardship for many Canadians.
“That is why my government supports your call to end the cross-border ban on unvaccinated truckers,” Moe added, “and it is why, in the not-too-distant future, our government will be ending our proof of negative test/proof of vaccination policy in Saskatchewan.”
