Alberta premier says truckers’ border blockade violates traffic laws and must end

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says a truck convoy that’s blockaded a highway at the Coutts border crossing as part of a protest against vaccine mandates violates the province’s Traffic Safety Act and must end immediately.

The Canada Border Services Agency said the U.S. border crossing has remained open despite the blockade on Highway 4, but RCMP say only foot traffic is able to get through.

“As I said last week, Canadians have a democratic right to engage in lawful protests. I urge those involved in this truck convoy protest to do so as safely as possible, and not to create road hazards which could lead to accidents or unsafe conditions for other drivers,” Kenney said Sunday in a statement from Washington, D.C., where he is attending a National Governors Association meeting.

The blockade of the Coutts border crossing violates the Alberta Traffic Safety Act.

It is causing significant inconvenience for lawful motorists and could dangerously impede movement of emergency service vehicles.

This blockade must end.

My full statement: pic.twitter.com/VbXTQTVft8

— Jason Kenney ???????????????????????? (@jkenney) January 30, 2022

The convoy was one of many in Canadian towns and cities that were held this weekend to coincide with a national convoy of truckers and their supporters in Ottawa protesting vaccine mandates, COVID-19 measures and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government.

RCMP Cpl. Curtis Peters initially said emergency vehicles were unable to enter Coutts if they were needed, but he updated that Sunday, saying an ambulance has been able to enter the village.

He noted access to Coutts is available via a gravel road through a field that passenger vehicles can use, but not semis.

“It’s almost a trail. It has gravel on it,” Peters said. “I don’t think it has a name, but it’s passable.”

Peters said no arrests have been made.

Kenney noted in his statement that Alberta’s Critical Infrastructure Defence Act gives police and prosecutors additional penalties they can levy to address blockades of highways and other infrastructure.

The law, passed by his United Conservative government last year, protects railways, highways and pipelines from anyone trespassing, interfering with operations and construction, or causing damage.

Former AB Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer says the Coutts blockade/demonstrations are '110 per cent' what the Critical Infrastructure Defense Act was made for. He worked on the bill, and says at this point it's up to law enforcement on when to use it. #Alberta #abpoli #ableg pic.twitter.com/oY8RP4xHXv

— Saif Kaisar (@StaySaif) January 31, 2022

“Operational enforcement decisions are the responsibility of police services, and enforcement at the border crossing itself is in part a federal responsibility,” Kenney noted in his statement.

Peters wouldn’t say whether the law could be used in this case, saying he would not discuss operations, tactics or planning. Alberta RCMP issued a statement Sunday evening saying they have been trying to reach a peaceful resolution and that some truck drivers have attempted to leave but couldn’t because traffic is immobilized.

The statement said police use a “measured approach” when events become unlawful, which it said “ultimately includes enforcement.”

“This event is unlawful and we are asking those who are involved to clear the area,” it said.

The border agency said in a news release that travellers should expect extensive delays at the Coutts crossing and advised them to use other crossings and consult the Directory of CBSA Offices and Services to confirm hours of service before heading out.

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Peters said authorities in Montana were advising northbound traffic to consider turning around.

Kenney has publicly supported one of the aims of the truck convoy, noting restrictions by both Canada and the U.S. on entry by truckers not vaccinated against COVID-19 further aggravates supply-chain bottlenecks.

The Opposition NDP condemned the blockade and called on Kenney to work to get the border reopened.

“To put it bluntly, a small group first claiming to be concerned about the possibility of grocery shortages have now most assuredly caused them,” NDP Leader Rachel Notley said in a news release.

At last check, it appears the Coutts border crossing remains blocked.

This is unacceptable. It must reopen today. This is a massive threat to our economy, to emergency services people rely on and so much more. #ableg #yyc

— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) January 31, 2022

Notley also said her party condemned the “many examples of hateful symbols and vandalism seen across Canada this weekend,” and called on Kenney to direct a UCP legislature member to end his participation in the protest.

A social media post on Saturday from Grant Hunter, who represents Cardston-Taber-Warner, showed the MLA posing with family beside trucks in the convoy, although it was not clear if the highway was fully blocked at that point.

Alberta cabinet minister Doug Schweitzer says he wants answers from Hunter, adding he’s disappointed that he attended the blockade.

Schweitzer, the minister for jobs, economy and innovation, says the United Conservative caucus needs to discuss the matter, and he looks forward to hearing Hunter’s reasons for going.

On Monday, Hunter to responded to CityNews’ request for comment, confirming he appeared at the protest at the Coutts border crossing.

“I have stated my support to get back to normal in Alberta and move from pandemic to endemic. The truckers and farmers who gathered at the border are at wits’ end with the restrictions, as are most of the Albertans I talk to,” he said in a statement.

“It’s time to let kids be kids. It’s time to let parents freely attend their kids’ sports games. It’s time to let families and friends gather for weddings and funerals without limits or restrictions. It’s time to treat all Albertans equally. In short, it’s time to get back to normal.”

MLA Grant Hunter responds to his participation at the illegal blockade at the Coutts border. He calls it a peaceful protest despite others in his party, incl. the premier saying it's an illegal blockade and needs to end now. No response from Shane Getson. #abpoli #ableg #Alberta pic.twitter.com/FUeTyhnFMy

— Saif Kaisar (@StaySaif) January 31, 2022

Hunter says that being said, a peaceful protest is not one that blocks people from moving freely and has asked those at the border crossing to allow people through.

“I empathize deeply with the frustration truckers and many Albertans have faced over the past two years, but ask they not break the law while protesting.”

Protesters at the event on Parliament Hill in Ottawa drew condemnation for fastening an inverted Canadian flag and anti-vaccine sign to a statue of Terry Fox, while others were seen jumping on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the National War Memorial. One truck flew a Confederate flag, while other protesters misappropriated the Star of David and brandished Nazi symbols and slogans.

Related article:

Ottawa police investigating ‘illegal behaviour’ of protestors at War Memorial, Fox statue

Kenney slammed the behavior on Twitter.

“Canadians have a wide range of perspectives on the appropriate government response to the threat of COVID-19 which they are free to express, but we should be united in condemning bigotry and hatred in all its forms,” he posted Sunday.