Critics are slamming a government-funded Canadian news outlet for suggesting Russia is behind the popular “Freedom Convoy” protest, where truckers drove across the country in protest of a vaccine mandate.
“I do ask that because given Canada’s support of Ukraine, in this current crisis with Russia, I don’t know if it’s far-fetched to ask,” CBC host Nil Koksal told Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino Friday.
“But there is concern that Russian actors could be continuing to fuel things as this protest grows. But perhaps even instigating it from, from the outset.”
Video of the exchange had been viewed nearly half a million times as of Sunday morning.
The CBC suggests "Russian actors" are behind the #TruckersForFreedom convoy. Seriously. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/a6sQyWtKkx
— True North (@TrueNorthCentre) January 29, 2022
“What I can tell you is that we do have courses on site right now who are watching the conduct of this convoy very carefully. And we’re providing direction and guidance to residents to ensure that there is a peaceful protest but, at the same time, providing direction and guidance to residents,” Medocino added.
The CBC is a Canadian public broadcaster that is funded by the government. The Freedom Convoy has been described as a grassroots movement; it has no known ties to Russia.
