Pro-pipeline convoy to ‘wake up’ federal government to western Canada’s energy concerns

RED DEER (660 NEWS) — United We Roll Convoy for Canada is gearing up for a cross-country journey to Parliament Hill.

The group of trucks will convene and depart from Red Deer on Valentine’s Day before heading east, winding their way through the prairies and Ontario en route to Ottawa.

They are expecting to arrive by February 19, barring any delays.

Along the way, the group is hoping to attract supporters and raise awareness of the struggling oil and gas industry.

“Our goal is to create some awareness, with trucks, across the country to get people behind what we are standing for, and to get people on Parliament Hill,” said Glen Carrit, convoy organizer.

Their ultimate goal is to raise awareness of what the implications of a stagnant oil and gas industry are for Canadians. Among their primary concerns —- failed pipeline projects that they maintain would provide relief from an oil glut that sent prices plummeting.

“There’s been work here, and the oil and gas industry has been pretty good; we have ups and downs and everybody knows that,” said Carrit. “Nobody has seen anything like this, and we’re just tired of the huge downturn of the oil and gas industry, and that our products aren’t getting the pipelines.”

Carritt also points out that they’re opposed to legislation that hinders the industry, like Bill C-48, the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, and C-69, the Impact Assessment Act and Canadian Energy Regulator Act.
With provincial and federal elections approaching, Carritt hopes Canadians will take a hard look at who they’re voting for.

READ MORE: Pro-oil rally stresses importance of the energy industry in Lac La Biche

“Be careful to vote for change because change is a good thing if it goes in the right direction,” he said. “We’re not here to tell people who to vote for. What we’re here to tell people is that we are not happy with the current government as it is right now.”

Carrit is encouraging people to join the caravan even if they don’t plan on taking part in the entire journey. A GoFundMe campaign led by Carritt raised over $42,000 to help offset fuel costs for those traveling with the caravan to Ottawa.

Others who aren’t able to join the traveling caravan are taking buses or flying into the capital.

The convoy is also accepting letters that they will deliver to Parliament Hill.

It’s intended to be a peaceful rally, and it has tried to distance itself from a previous affiliation with the Yellow Vest movement calling it “unprofessional”.

There are no plans to hinder traffic along the way, and they are cooperating and coordinating with transportation ministries.

“We’ve got a huge disconnect with our current government,” he said.