In the early morning on Sunday, June 20, Kriska drivers Chris Proulx and Sean Walsh and their wives Liz Proulx and Diane Walsh bobtailed towards Ottawa to participate in a truck rally honouring the victims of the residential school system.
The couples joined more than 75 other professional drivers as they drove through Ottawa and past Parliament Hill. The trucks were decorated with orange ribbon, bows and banners to honour and acknowledge the unidentified indigenous children discovered in graves at Canadian residential schools.
Chris and Liz each work at Kriska. Chris is an 18-year veteran driver, and Liz is the Intermodal Coordinator. "I get goosebumps when I think about passing Parliament Hill," said Liz. "Seeing the support of indigenous people waving brought us to tears."
Sean Walsh and his wife Diane were eager to participate. He's been driving with Kriska since 2014 and had only returned the night before from a two-day 1000 mile trip. "I was in Pennsylvania and asked Dispatch to help me get back in time," mentioned Sean "they knew how important this was for me and found a load for me to get home Saturday night."
The event brought together drivers from the Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec areas. Transport trucks, dump trucks, heavy tow trucks, mixers and other commercial vehicles were welcome. They met in Carleton Place before driving into Ottawa, through downtown and past the Parliament buildings.
The convoy was 1.5km long, and the trucks sounded their horns as a tribute.
"It was absolutely amazing," said Walsh "nobody knew each other, but the truckers came together to show the indigenous community our support."
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