Trucker Bill
First came the kids' book, now the full story.
I met trucker Bill in Ottawa, while visiting the city during the second week of the Freedom Convoy protest. He was one of the first people I spoke to up there on Wellington Street, in front of the Parliament buildings.
Soon, my friend Deb and I were making a circuit each morning, checking in with protesters we’d chatted with previously. In his early 70s, Bill was all smiles. He’d climb down out of his cab whenever we dropped by in order to get his ‘hugs from the ladies.’
Bill works for Jonker Trucking. His Peterbilt was one of the vehicles that got seized at the end. Earlier this year, I published a children’s book in which Bill is the main character. It describes his rock star treatment by members of the public during the three weeks he spent in Ottawa. At heart, that book is about what the Convoy meant to ordinary people.
Beginning tomorrow, I’m going to tell you the grownup version of Bill’s story.
