Yellow Vest rallies spread to Canadian cities

Protesters wearing yellow vests, inspired by the rallies that have been taking place in France over one month, took the streets in various cities across Canada on Saturday.

The protestors held rallies in eight cities of the country: Edmonton, Toronto, Winnipeg, Okanagan, Moncton, Calgary, Saskatoon, and Halifax to protest the government’s policies and the UN migration pact, Anadolu Agency reported.

Gathering outside Halifax’s City Hall, dozens of people blasted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s policies and the government’s recently-signed the United Nations’ Global Compact for Migration, which promotes safe and legal migration. 

Some 60 protesters gathering at Nathan Philips Square at Toronto City Hall also blasted a lack of freedom of speech in the country as well as the UN migration pact.

The rallies in Edmonton and Winnipeg were held against the UN migration pact. Freedom of speech was also protested in Okanagan. 

The demonstrations across the country ended peacefully, with no signs of police intervention. 

Since November 17, thousands of protesters wearing bright yellow vests --- dubbed the Yellow Vests --- have been gathering in major French cities, including the capital Paris, to protest President Emmanuel Macron's controversial fuel tax hikes and the deteriorating economic situation.

During demonstrations, at least 8 people have been killed and more than a thousand others wounded, while thousands more arrested.

EA