Carbon tax protest in Regina features convoy, rally

They wanted to make a statement against the carbon tax, and with about 700 vehicles in their convoy and an estimated 1,000 people at Evraz Place, they did it in a big way.

Late Thursday morning, a convoy made its way from just east of Regina, along Arcola Avenue, into downtown Regina on Saskatchewan Drive, and around Lewvan Drive into Evraz Place.

For people like Rob Peloquin, with RPM Oil, being part of the convoy was “wild.”

“You’re always looking back, you’re looking forward to see exactly how much trucks are coming or going,” he said. “It was incredible.”

Many of the trucks and semis carried flags and signs. Most of them said something against the carbon tax, others said things like “Build the pipeline,” and many were pointed directly at the Liberal party, its only Saskatchewan MP, Ralph Goodale, or Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Josie Mcleod had signs on her truck promoting pipelines. She was laid off from the oil industry two years ago and said it has been hard ever since.

“When I was driving in the convoy on the way here, I actually broke into tears because I was so amazed at the support,” she said.

She said there were people from all over, and some had even pulled their kids out of school for the day.

Blair Stewart was one of the organizers. He called the turnout unbelievable, saying people were still registering just before midnight the night before.

“It’s one of the neatest things I’ve been part of,” said Stewart. “It was really something to see. It might be one of the highlights of my life.”

Stewart said something many people repeated over the day, that with these numbers the politicians and prime minister in Ottawa will have to pay attention.

Premier Scott Moe got a lot of cheers when he spoke to the crowd at the rally. Moe repeated many of the points he has been giving against the carbon tax — that it will just cost Canadians money, and won’t actually reduce emissions.

Moe touted Saskatchewan’s plan, Prairie Resilience, as something that will reduce emissions, and brought up the other provinces going against the federally imposed carbon tax as a sort of victory.

The premier closed by saying the government accepts climate change is happening and is even man-made, but said the conversation needs to shift from a carbon tax to innovation and technology.

Convoy rolls through Regina

It took nearly an hour for the convoy to make its way from the city’s east side, through the downtown to Evraz Place for the rally. Many vehicles also met the convoy at the Evraz grounds.

The Regina Rally Against The Carbon Tax convoy made its way down Saskatchewan Drive towards Evraz Place on April 4, 2019. (Jessie Anton/980 CJME)

After hearing the horns blare though the downtown, Mel Beisel decided to walk up a block from his McIntyre Street apartment to watch the trucks on Saskatchewan Drive.

“I think it’s a good idea they chose to protest,” he said. “I think this will make (the federal government) know that the carbon tax is wrong and they should do something about it.”

About a block away, in the Robins Donuts parking lot on the corner of Albert Street and Saskatchewan Drive, Lisa Streisel filmed the convoy.

“I think it’s amazing that Saskatchewan workers and farmers can come together to protest something we all believe should not be here,” she said.

Police planning paid off

After the rally ended, Regina police thanked members of the convoy and the general public for their co-operation as officers directed traffic along the route.

There were no collisions or injuries as the hundreds of vehicles made their way along the 12-kilometre route.

Officers were stationed at most intersections along the way, directing traffic. While they are used to managing traffic for similar events like parades, Supt. Darcy Koch agreed that Thursday’s effort was unprecedented.

“Not in my career of 28-plus years here have I seen such a big event along such a long stretch,” said Koch.

Police also had a plan, anticipating the convoy’s potential effect to emergency response times. There were three EMS vehicles that had to cross the convoy route along with two police emergencies. Koch said officers stopped the convoy and allowed each of those to cross without delay.

— With files from Jessie Anton and Andrew Shepherd

Here's a time lapse video 980 CJME's @arielle_zerr took of the first 200 vehicles in the convoy going through Regina's downtown Thursday. pic.twitter.com/ovgZGa45iO

— 980 CJME (@CJMENews) April 4, 2019