Premier Doug Ford of Ontario announced yesterday that he would join Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan in speeding up a timeline for loosening COVID restrictions. That means the province would get rid of vaccine mandates, reopening restaurants and bars to full capacity, while keeping mandatory masks in place.

It was welcome news to people who support the truckers’ protest that has spent two weeks occupying downtown Ottawa. Those supporters include at least two Jewish Canadians: a goalie coach from rural Ontario and a Chabad rabbi whose day job is in IT.

The two don’t know each other. But after hearing Monday’s episode of The CJN Daily, both felt compelled to reach out and share their stories, including why they support the truckers, how they view the Nazi flags in Ottawa and how the pandemic’s economic fallout has hurt their careers.

What we talked about:

• Learn about Launy Schwartz’s school, Stop the Puck Goaltending, at stpgoaltending.com

Credits

The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Victoria Redden is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We’re a member of The CJN Podcast Network; find more great Jewish podcasts at thecjn.ca.