By Troy Gillard (Twitter: @Troy_Gillard)

Canada Action not worried yellow vest convoy to Ottawa will hurt theirs

Jan 8, 2019 | 4:16 PM

Organizers of a pro-pipeline convoy from Calgary to Ottawa say they aren’t worried another convoy leaving Red Deer the same day will hurt their efforts.

Red Deer-based Rally 4 Resources and Calgary-based Canada Action are organizing the “Convoy to Ottawa for Canadian Pipelines” scheduled to leave Calgary on Feb. 15, the same day the “Yellow Vest (Official) Convoy to Ottawa” plans to roll out from Red Deer.

Canada Action founder Cody Battershill says while they hold nothing personal against those involved in the yellow vest movement, they don’t want to be part of it.

“We simply can’t associate the yellow vest (movement) from France – protests, riots and other issues,” Battershill said Tuesday.

“We’ve always been about energy and resources (and) being positive and respectful. I’m not saying they’re not, or that any specific person is not, but if you look in Paris right now they’re rioting and burning buildings. If you Google ‘yellow vests’ you’ll find some people making some pretty outrageous statements that we just simply can’t support.”

advocating for strategic action

Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce comment on Land Use Bylaw public hearing

A few moments ago

Chance to win prizes

Registration open for Green Deer spring cleanup campaign

54m ago

residential mill rate to hold steady

Penhold town council approves final tax rate increases

14h ago

Battershill does acknowledge, however, that both convoys have the same goal.

“It’s two convoys which both represent frustration and disappointment at the lack of action from the federal government to recognize that we’re all Canadian, we’re all in this together and we should be supporting the energy sector.

“I’m not concerned about the overlap. We’re just going to do what we’ve always done and I think it’s going to be a huge success.”

Battershill says trucks from B.C. will meet in Calgary for the official start of their convoy, which has rallies planned in Regina, Winnipeg and possibly Toronto before arriving in Ottawa on Feb 20.

A third convoy from Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces is also expected to arrive in Ottawa that day.

“We’re just going to keep asking Canadians to participate in our democracy, have their voice heard, speak up and be proud,” Battershill notes. “We have everything to be proud of – Canadian energy is a good news story and we’re not helping the global environment by blocking our pipeline.”

“The federal government has not been supporting us and we need to keep making our voices heard. It’s a national issue with national repercussions, so that’s why we’re taking it right to Ottawa.”

More on the Rally 4 Resources and Canada Action convoy can be found on Facebook.