Hundreds of trucks lined Wellington Street in Ottawa Tuesday morning, arriving there for the first day of the United We Roll rally, which started out as a convoy in Red Deer on Thursday. Participants from a number of different walks of life, from the oil sector to the ag sector, to mining are participating in the rallies, calling for government action on a number of issues which concern western Canada, including the building of a pipeline and the federal carbon tax.

“Make these politicians hear our voices, that Canadian energy is clean, it’s worth fighting for and that’s why these fellas and we all made the trek this way,” said Dale Mainil in an interview with Discover Weyburn Tuesday morning. Mainil was standing on Parliament Hill, surrounded by hundreds who came out to share the message.

“We have a row of oil field and ag trucks lined up right in front of Parliament Hill, and lots of horns if you can hear them in the background going of… Lots of support.”

The convoy took a number of days to arrive in Ottawa, and for organizers was a challenge in logistics. There were concerns those participating would be met with opposition on the way, but Mainil said those who were driving had no issues. In fact, many people came out in support of the convoy.

“On the trip here, have been met with just positive support knowing that it is an industry that is vital to Canada,” Mainil said. The truck from Jerry Mainil Ltd was driven to Ottawa by Kent LaCoste and Josh Mainil.

The rally will wrap up on Wednesday on Parliament Hill before the participants make their way back home to Western Canada.