Top Canadian official pushes back against GOP support for 'Freedom Truck Convoy'

Canada's public safety minister is warning about U.S. politicians meddling in his country's domestic affairs – becoming the most recent Canadian official to reject support from some prominent Republicans for truckers camped out in downtown Ottawa in protest of COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

"We need to be vigilant about potential foreign interference," Canadian Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said Monday. "Whatever statements may have been made by some foreign official are neither here nor there. We’re Canadian. We have our own set of laws. We will follow them."

The city's mayor has recently requested nearly 2,000 extra police officers to help mitigate the nightly demonstrations staged by the 'Freedom Truck Convoy,' which is currently occupying the downtown area with hundreds of parked trucks.

Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has spoken disapprovingly about the convoy, and says he will not meet with them. During an emergency debate on the matter in parliament, Trudeau said, "Individuals are trying to blockade our economy, our democracy, and our fellow citizens’ daily lives. It has to stop."

Protestors say their goal is to eliminate all vaccine requirements and COVID-19 restrictions. They have also called for the removal of Trudeau's government. 

Several prominent members of the U.S. GOP have offered comments in support of the efforts by the truckers. Former President Trump, who called Trudeau a "far left lunatic," said the leader had managed to "destroy Canada with insane COVID mandates."

GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also offered commentary following GoFundMe's decision to eliminate the fundraiser for the truckers and refund the millions of dollars raised by demonstrators. 

Mendicino said in response: "It is certainly not the concern of the Texas attorney general as to how we in Canada go about our daily lives in accordance with the rule of law."

Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz recently said on Fox News that the "government doesn’t have the right to force you to comply to their arbitrary mandates."

Several additional Canadian politicians have spoken out against the comments generated by U.S. politicians.

The Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly called the demonstration an "unprecedented protest never seen in Canada" as he acknowledged that authorities partially under his leadership had failed to plan for the protest to last more than two or three days.

The Superior Court of Ottawa has also granted a 10-day injunction to prevent the truckers parked on the streets from honking incessantly.