Greg Wycliffe - November 20, 2022


Was the Trucker Convoy a Far-right protest？


Episode Stats


Length

13 minutes

Words per minute

181.26268

Word count

2,383

Sentence count

183

Harmful content

Misogyny

1

sentences flagged

Hate speech

3

sentences flagged


Summary

Summaries generated with gmurro/bart-large-finetuned-filtered-spotify-podcast-summ .

In this episode, I sit down with a couple of friends to talk about the protest in support of Canadian freedom and human dignity. We talk about what it means to be Canadian and what it's like to be a part of a country that values human dignity and human rights.

Transcript

Transcript generated with Whisper (turbo).
Misogyny classifications generated with MilaNLProc/bert-base-uncased-ear-misogyny .
Hate speech classifications generated with facebook/roberta-hate-speech-dynabench-r4-target .
00:00:00.000 I noticed you're wearing a flag. Is this a trans flag?
00:00:02.580 It is a trans flag, yes.
00:00:03.740 Amazing.
00:00:04.240 There's nothing in fear. This is not a far-right rally.
00:00:07.520 So, if anything, there was more harassment from the counter-protesters?
00:00:10.920 Oh, absolutely.
00:00:12.080 I am here with...
00:00:13.920 Ari.
00:00:14.520 Ari and...
00:00:15.460 Jason.
00:00:15.860 Is it your first day at the protest, or how long have you been here?
00:00:18.540 I live in the area, so I've just been coming and going every so often.
00:00:22.260 Yeah, myself as well. I come down just to make sure everything's cool.
00:00:25.840 You know, folks are being respectful and stuff to each other.
00:00:28.760 And it's been overwhelming, just the amount of support folks have shown each other.
00:00:32.860 What does this protest mean to you? What do you think it's about?
00:00:35.880 About this, I think it's standing up against government overreach, for the most part.
00:00:41.220 We've been complying for so much, for such a long time, that this is no longer sustainable.
00:00:47.900 I see a lot of folks hurting, right?
00:00:50.300 I've seen a lot of folks get into, you know, kind of mental depression issues over the last two years and whatnot.
00:00:56.320 It's been tough on all of us.
00:00:57.740 You know, myself included.
00:00:59.760 And I don't like to see the division.
00:01:01.840 What I'm feeling here is a sense of community and folks coming together to say,
00:01:05.260 Hey, there's some things that are wrong.
00:01:07.180 We need to have some discussions.
00:01:08.620 And let's do that in a respectful manner.
00:01:11.800 I'm not saying, hey, let's walk into every establishment and tear off our masks.
00:01:16.140 You know, that doesn't respect the people working there.
00:01:19.500 But I am saying it's very, I don't know if you'll be able to hear me, but...
00:01:24.540 The sound of freedom.
00:01:25.620 It's very important that we respect each other and we come together and have those discussions.
00:01:32.620 You guys are from Ottawa.
00:01:33.960 I've been talking to people from Alberta, BC, Quebec, and some of them are saying they're feeling this Canadian pride for the first time they haven't felt in a long time.
00:01:42.460 Can you relate to that?
00:01:43.440 Oh, absolutely.
00:01:45.440 For the longest time, what it meant to be Canadian always felt like to be just a slightly, like a less free American.
00:01:53.300 That was kind of what it almost felt like.
00:01:56.500 It was not something to be explicitly proud of.
00:01:59.520 But now seeing this overwhelming show of support for Canadian freedoms, Canadian liberty.
00:02:05.340 I, yeah, this is a Canada I'm proud to be a part of.
00:02:09.280 I went to school out in Nova Scotia and it was that East Coast kind of flavor that really got to me.
00:02:15.760 East Coast as in like super nice, friendly Canadians?
00:02:18.520 Super awesome, yeah.
00:02:19.220 Just saying hi to you on the street and seeing how you're doing.
00:02:22.360 And that's the kind of vibe I've kind of gotten coming downtown and just seeing what's going on.
00:02:26.760 It's just impressive.
00:02:27.800 It does feel very Canadian and that's something that we haven't started to come together on in a long time.
00:02:33.300 We are a young country compared to the States.
00:02:36.740 And in many ways, I feel like this has been a very formative event for our Canadian identity.
00:02:42.940 Kind of like you were saying, it's almost like we're stepping out of the shadow of the States.
00:02:46.020 And it's like we're our own independent, self-respecting nation.
00:02:49.220 And we are nice and we have protests where we hand out free food and we're freezing our asses off.
00:02:54.380 And that's just what it means to be Canadian.
00:02:55.860 Totally.
00:02:56.100 I think, you know, the fact that it's been so cold and so many people have been coming down here to show support to each other, that is truly Canadian.
00:03:06.080 I think there's a lot that we can kind of share with each other and support those of us that still have a lot of questions around this.
00:03:13.760 And the more that we can show that, the more it shows how we're Canadian, the more it shows how we're peaceful.
00:03:18.680 And truly, it's very different from the U.S. in that respect, right?
00:03:22.500 Yeah.
00:03:22.720 I mean, you see it around.
00:03:25.040 Everyone's just kind of eating, acting happy with each other and having a really good time.
00:03:29.380 And that's how I met Ari over here.
00:03:31.260 So it's been awesome.
00:03:33.640 Cool.
00:03:33.940 Oh, so you guys just met at the protest?
00:03:36.020 Yeah, actually.
00:03:37.060 So we were here on Wednesday.
00:03:39.060 Incidentally, I was just interviewed by another streamer who then we happened to run to each other.
00:03:44.820 He recognized me and we just kind of hung out for the rest of the day.
00:03:48.060 We just kind of ran to each other today.
00:03:49.340 Yeah, thanks.
00:03:50.400 Do you guys watch the news in this country?
00:03:55.600 Very cynically.
00:03:57.360 I work night shift, so there's usually not very much to listen to.
00:04:02.880 So sometimes I'll turn on the CBC just to see what they're saying these days.
00:04:08.280 Not that it's factual at all, but just, okay, well, what are they spewing tonight?
00:04:13.140 Aren't you afraid at all to come out to the protest and associate with what they're saying on the news?
00:04:20.060 Do you have any fear about that?
00:04:21.880 Personally, I'm not particularly worried.
00:04:24.940 I think there's more people who are in support of this than people will let on.
00:04:30.820 I know a lot of people who I work with, they're quite happy with what's going on here.
00:04:37.620 But it's just with a very chilled atmosphere politically that a lot of people don't want to speak out or attend this.
00:04:44.880 Right.
00:04:45.180 They don't want to speak out.
00:04:46.320 How about you?
00:04:46.780 Do you watch the news and are you afraid to come out here?
00:04:49.600 I'm not afraid to come out.
00:04:51.780 In terms of the news, it's challenging because I don't see them presenting the story, right?
00:04:57.080 It's frustrating.
00:04:57.760 It's frustrating.
00:04:58.660 But I will say, like, I do feel bad for some of my friends and colleagues who are close to work right now.
00:05:05.940 And I know that that's frustrating for them.
00:05:08.100 And they don't really understand from the way the media is presenting it that they can come outside if they leave downtown, that it is quite friendly around.
00:05:15.300 But, you know, I feel bad for folks that feel, you know, that have kind of been hurt a bit by this.
00:05:21.900 But the problem is, is that, you know, with when when we're not allowed to have a voice, we're not allowed to have that conversation with with our government.
00:05:31.500 That's where people and Canadians especially are going to start speaking out and saying, hey, like, I want to talk about this.
00:05:37.500 Why can't you come down and have that conversation with us?
00:05:40.060 And that's important.
00:05:41.640 And it's really been the truckers that started that.
00:05:43.880 I mean, when the truckers are complaining and coming together, like, you know, it's time.
00:05:48.000 It's time.
00:05:49.160 Well, I hear the fishermen are coming now, too.
00:05:51.960 So I don't know.
00:05:52.600 Is that right?
00:05:53.000 Yeah.
00:05:53.500 I noticed you're wearing a flag.
00:05:54.820 Is this a trans flag?
00:05:56.020 It is a trans flag.
00:05:56.880 Yes.
00:05:57.200 Amazing.
00:05:57.660 So a lot of people, again, might say, oh, well, how dare you or something.
00:06:02.380 What are your thoughts on all that?
00:06:03.280 Well, actually, I have had those words directed against me because I walked through the counter protest on Saturday.
00:06:10.720 And initially, they were very happy that I was, you know, in attendance until they realized that I was crossing the line.
00:06:17.520 And they were very unhappy with what they saw was, you know, an identity that they're supposed to have ownership of.
00:06:24.140 Yeah.
00:06:24.240 And, you know, someone who was, you know, speaking out against that, they were not happy whatsoever.
00:06:31.040 I was told this was supposed to be a far right rally.
00:06:33.560 I'd like to know why I haven't been attacked or accosted by anyone at the convoy.
00:06:40.900 I had the counter protesters when I came back.
00:06:43.740 They were confrontational with me.
00:06:46.160 But for the convoy itself, no, it's just been outsporing love and support.
00:06:50.780 There's nothing in fear.
00:06:52.940 This is not a far right rally.
00:06:55.080 So if anything, there was more, like, harassment from the counter protesters.
00:06:58.520 Oh, absolutely.
00:06:59.720 How do you think people watching can, you know, better participate or maybe open their minds to what's going on here?
00:07:05.280 I think it's probably likely channels like this.
00:07:08.620 There's a lot of folks on YouTube, Viva Frey, Autowalks, Machines Everywhere, yourself.
00:07:15.640 And, you know, I think the more we kind of tune into some of those channels, even for a little bit,
00:07:20.300 you're going to see a lot of folks celebrating, being friendly, being Canadian, and really trying to encourage dialogue.
00:07:26.720 And that's really what it's about.
00:07:27.780 I think the best way that people can become informed is just tune in to actual on-the-ground reporting
00:07:35.340 instead of what the mainstream media has been reporting, which is not representative of what's happening here at all.
00:07:40.880 So if they want to become informed about what a wonderful time this has been, what a nice protest this has been, I think.
00:07:49.440 It's a moment of national unity, you know?
00:07:51.440 It feels big.
00:07:52.080 Absolutely.
00:07:52.960 And it's a real shame that you said it's a national unity that, you know, our media organizations will not be joining us.
00:08:04.040 Yeah.
00:08:04.940 They will not be joining us.
00:08:06.360 That's such a polite way to put it, actually.
00:08:08.580 Well done.
00:08:09.380 Let's say the mandates have ended, okay, and Justin Trudeau's out of the picture.
00:08:14.300 This is a hypothetical.
00:08:15.500 And yourself, you are prime minister.
00:08:18.740 What would be your number one priority to change in this country?
00:08:23.480 Aside from ending the mandates, my gosh, probably giving more support to our blue-collar workers,
00:08:31.200 the people that have been the backbone of this country.
00:08:35.500 Give them the support they need.
00:08:37.520 Give them, you know, get more trucks on the road.
00:08:40.460 Help end this, you know, these shortages that we've been having.
00:08:44.620 Get the help where it's needed.
00:08:47.160 Help the economy, right?
00:08:48.100 Absolutely.
00:08:48.340 Got it going again.
00:08:49.340 What are your thoughts?
00:08:49.920 One thing you'd change, Mr. Prime Minister?
00:08:51.720 I think one of the things I'd focus on the most is mental health, you know, and what our investment is into mental health right now,
00:08:59.100 especially after the pandemic.
00:09:02.040 Yeah, number one priority right there.
00:09:03.800 Enough said.
00:09:04.360 The CBC, they do this thing where, you know, Trudeau is all about diversity is our strength,
00:09:09.780 and the CBC wants to have their quotas for inclusion and equity, and, you know, meanwhile, there's a lot of that naturally happening here, right?
00:09:19.300 And I guess I kind of wanted to get your thoughts on this version of almost like they try to commodify that diversity or something.
00:09:26.740 Does this make sense to you?
00:09:27.960 Absolutely.
00:09:28.220 Do you have any thoughts on that?
00:09:30.300 Like, what are they failing at?
00:09:32.220 Or is it good?
00:09:32.800 Is it bad?
00:09:33.380 I think the ultimate, you know, the intention is noble, but again, like you said, like, it's something that happens naturally.
00:09:42.140 And if you were to, you know, just let people work as they were, I think your, you know, your quote-unquote, your diverse staff or people who are working or attending protests and stuff,
00:09:56.500 you're going to see that they're not going to be, you know, tokenized.
00:10:00.560 Instead of just, you know, this is a woman, this is a black person. 0.91
00:10:04.180 Another quota or whatever.
00:10:05.540 Exactly.
00:10:06.160 It makes it so much more organic if it's not something that is forced.
00:10:10.940 If it's, if someone is here because they're black, you have to wonder, like, okay, well, are they here because they're black and not, they were here on the merits? 0.93
00:10:19.280 And it, and honestly, it fuels far more division than people will admit.
00:10:24.240 And probably, like, insecurity, too, for everyone.
00:10:26.940 Am I, am I here because of this or am I here because I'm good?
00:10:29.880 Absolutely.
00:10:30.280 It can almost create a sense of, you know, imposter syndrome among, you know, minority groups. 0.93
00:10:35.340 When I think really what we should be closing on is, you know, instead of diversity as a tribe, it should be, you know, inclusion.
00:10:41.880 That everyone who is in attendance, who is in groups, should feel welcome to participate as opposed, as opposed to, you know, working at just straight numbers games.
00:10:50.860 Because that, that's not how people work.
00:10:53.020 And as it turns out, we're finding a protest, that this protest over the course of 10 days now, that Canadians kind of naturally have that.
00:11:00.760 Or the ones standing up for freedom, there is a natural sort of respect.
00:11:03.340 There is a natural sort of, like, respecting whoever you are, don't really care, right?
00:11:08.280 You know?
00:11:08.980 Yeah.
00:11:09.140 Yeah.
00:11:09.560 Yeah.
00:11:09.940 It's, it's, it's felt very inclusive.
00:11:12.420 I've met a lot of different folks.
00:11:14.520 You know, again, just coming down to see what's going on, see how folks are being.
00:11:18.840 But, yeah, very, very overwhelming sense of inclusion, I find.
00:11:23.580 Anything else to say for the people watching that you want to help them encourage, support the truckers or this movement or just anything to say?
00:11:30.460 Just, if anyone's in the area, please feel free to come down.
00:11:34.920 This has been a wonderful, wonderful time.
00:11:37.120 Seeing videos and seeing, you know, documentation, it's, it's definitely helps, but it's nothing like actually just being down and seeing it for yourself.
00:11:47.080 Yeah, absolutely.
00:11:48.260 How about yourself?
00:11:49.360 Well, I think I already said it best, but just to add on to that, maybe you come down here and you don't agree and that, that's fine.
00:11:55.820 Just being open to having conversation with folks, that's, that's really what got my perspective going and why I came down.
00:12:03.000 So, be open to it, check it out.
00:12:04.900 If you don't agree, have that conversation and that's fair, but don't disrespect just because folks think differently.
00:12:10.520 Group hug?
00:12:11.500 Yeah.
00:12:11.740 Yeah.
00:12:11.980 Just wanted to say I like your stuff, man.
00:12:18.400 Thanks, man.
00:12:19.380 I'm going to keep doing these interviews.
00:12:20.940 If you want to support that, like, share, subscribe, send it to gregthecanadian at hotmail.com.
00:12:26.740 Send an e-transfer there, really helping me out.
00:12:29.100 We're going to keep telling you the story of what's happening on the ground here in Ottawa.
00:12:32.080 We will talk to you soon.
00:12:33.240 The peaceful tower, the peace tower.
00:12:35.760 It is the peaceful peace tower, just like the protesters here.
00:12:38.820 Thank you.