The Freedom Convoy 2022 is expected to roll through Kenora Tuesday night (January 25, 2022) on their way to Ottawa to stand up for the recent federal vaccine mandate for transport drivers.
The Kenora Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has been in contact with the convoy and has confirmed approximately 200 to 300 vehicles will be coming through Kenora.
Kenora OPP Provincial Constable, Jason Canfield said they had a meeting earlier on Tuesday to come up with a plan for the traffic.
“Our plan is to be present for traffic control in a number of areas around town just to help the flow continue to move. If we weren’t there the traffic could be backed up, lights could be blocked, and it could be bad for everyone else trying to move,” Canfield said.
Canfield wants to advise residents who are out on the road Tuesday night they could experience delays due to the high traffic.
From what Canfield could provide their plan is to enter through Lakeview Drive at around 7:00 p.m. and disperse to a variety of hotels, and to a number of businesses along Highway 17 E that have offered up their parking lots.
Residents have confirmed to KenoraOnline the convoy has reached out to the Kenora Rec Centre, and the Lake of the Woods Speedway to house their trucks overnight.
The convoy is expected to depart Kenora at around 9:00 a.m. Wednesday morning (January 26, 2022) on their way to Thunder Bay, before making it to Ottawa by January 29, 2022.
Canfield concluded by saying that the OPP has made Godbout Towing aware of the event to assist with delays if need be. The City of Kenora has also been advised to make sure all roads are sanded to prevent delays.