Acting Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Sonya Savage said what began as a peaceful protest against vaccination mandates for cross-border truckers at Coutts 11 days ago has now crossed the line of legality.
RCMP claim that plans are in the works to hold organizers and participants accountable, including laying charges under the federal Criminal Code, the provincial Traffic Safety Act and the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act, which could carry fines and jail time as penalties.
“To repeat what we’ve said on several occasions: Alberta’s government will always stand up for people’s fundamental democratic right to protest," Savage said during a media availability Tuesday afternoon, where she was joined by RCMP Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki. “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."
“We believe the Coutts blockade has crossed this line. It has severely inconvenienced lawful motorists, prevented commercial goods from reaching their destination, and it has the potential to impede emergency vehicles from reaching people in need of aid.," she continued, adding that the situation has become intolerable.
Savage affirmed that enforcement is in the purview of law enforcement, however, she said that the province is looking into issuing a civil injunction.
"We're gathering information and evidence in preparation of one. It's not necessary at this point in time," she said, adding the options for ending the blockade under the Emergency Management Act are also being considered, along with the Civil Forfeiture Act, whereby property used in the commission of a crime can be seized and forfeited to the Crown.
Zablocki said that since the instigation of the blockade more than 10 days ago, authorities have worked to establish an environment where peace and safety can be maintained.
"Our operational priorities, beyond that, have been to keep the border – a vital economic trade point for Americans and Canadians – open for crossing and to ensure citizens in the area affected have safe passage through the protest area, unimpeded emergency services and free flow of goods to their communities" he said.
"I want to ensure you that definite actions are taking place," said Zablocki, adding that the safety of all those involved is of the utmost consideration, and "unnecessary risks will not be taken."
"It's our discretion as to how and when enforcement is used," he said. "It's our goal to ensure any actions are used to advance resolution, not to increase the volatility and potential for violence in Coutts or anywhere else in the province."
Zablocki said that despite the mere existence of the blockade, RCMP have made progress, citing decrease in number of vehicles at the border. He said the event hasn't been forcibly ended because tow truck drivers in the area have refused requests for service from law enforcement.
"Unfortunately, they were unwilling to become involved when it was implied that helping law enforcement with removal would likely damage their livelihoods into the future," he said.
The commissioner said that RCMP have witnessed acts that violate provincial and federal laws and authorities are prepared to press charges against those involved.
"We are investigating, there will be charges and this does not end when the road is cleared," he said.
Savage confirmed today that additional resources have been requested from Ottawa to deal with the situation.
Zablocki added that RCMP resources have been requested from B.C.
Following the press conference NDP justice critic Irfan Sabir issued a statement, accusing the UCP of inaction to maintain a favourable leadership review for Premier Jason Kenney.
"Like many Albertans, I’m shocked that after 11 days of an illegal blockade on a crucial economic corridor, Minister Savage still has no plan to end this unlawful blockade," Sabir wrote via Twitter. "She has no answers for Albertans about why the UCP has allowed this lawlessness to continue."
"The UCP still hasn’t applied to the courts for an injunction to clear the blockade," he continued. "Minister Savage describes the situation as unlawful and ‘intolerable’ but refuses to take even this basic step to give the law enforcement all the resources they need."
