Protesters blocking Alberta’s main U.S. border crossing at Coutts say they are not leaving as long as federal COVID mandates and restrictions continue to stay in effect, despite the province’s vaccine passport having now been lifted.
John Vanreeuwyk, a feedlot operator from Coaldale, Alta., said in an interview with The Canadian Press that he and other protestors are blocking Highway 4 in solidarity with the trucker convoy that has driven to Ottawa to protest COVID-19 mandates and restrictions.
“We’re here for the big picture. It started with the border thing, it started with [Prime Minister] Trudeau and until Trudeau moves, we don’t move,” Vanreeuwyk said.
“Overall it’s disappointing... there was some good that [came] out of it but not even a 10 percent,” Vanreeuwyk said of steps the province has taken to lift restrictions.
In the final phase of reopening, mandatory isolation will be only on a recommended basis, and COVID-19 outbreak protocols at continuing care homes will be lifted. A target date for this phase is yet to be determined.
The Alberta protesters have closed and opened the lanes of Highway 4 on and off since Jan. 29. The RCMP said late on Feb. 8 that the lanes were again closed due to the protest.
“Please be advised the north and southbound lanes to the Coutts border crossing are now closed due to protester’s [sic] blockade,” the RCMP said on Twitter.
“To repeat what we’ve said on several occasions: Alberta’s government will always stand up for people’s fundamental democratic right to protest,” she said.
“However, the constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and expression have reasonable limits. When protesters threaten public safety, disrupt the public peace or prevent Albertans from accessing vital infrastructure, then they open themselves up to potential action from law enforcement.”
Vanreeuwyk says as political figures increase pressure on protestors, it may have the reverse effect.
“We’ve got guys here—they’ve lost everything due to these mandates and they’re not giving up and they’re willing to stand their ground and keep going until this is done,” he said.
“The harder the politicians push the larger this is going to get.”