100% wrong. Canadians were always free to leave. Just a little hard to get back in.
https://www.jccf.ca/the-charters-only-living-signatory-sues-canada-over-travel-mandates/
“On October 30, 2021, the federal government announced that anyone travelling by air, train, or ship, must be fully vaccinated. “
Also, the USA had a vaccine mandate so it was impossible to walk or drive out, as the USA is the only country that borders Canada.