Trucker Blockade Closes Alberta-Montana Border Crossing

Trade Update • FEBRUARY 2, 2021

AAn illegal blockade by truck drivers and others protesting the Trudeau government’s covid-related public health measures is continuing to halt commercial traffic for a fifth day at one of the country’s busiest ports.

The border crossing at Coutts has been effectively shut down since Saturday and was officially closed to inbound traffic by the Canada Border Services Agency on Monday.

Drivers have been advised that despite the Port of Sweetgrass remaining open, their ability to enter the U.S. at that border crossing may be impeded by the continued closure of Canadian Highway 4. Unfortunately for truckers, alternate crossings nearby cannot accommodate commercial vehicles, making a detour a time-consuming and costly endeavour.

Semi-trucks, trailers, camper vans- and farm equipment are among the vehicles obstructing roads in the area, which has “negatively impacted the flow of goods and services,” according to a statement issued yesterday by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Because highways are considered essential infrastructure, “it is unlawful to willfully obstruct, interrupt or interfere with the construction, maintenance, use or operation of any essential infrastructure in a manner that renders the essential infrastructure dangerous, useless, inoperative or ineffective as per the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act of Alberta,” the police warned.

Efforts by the Alberta RCMP to enforce the law Tuesday after negotiations broke down with protesters have so far met with little success. Although some of the blockading vehicles were removed from the area and a “few others” left of their own accord, additional protestors soon arrived on the scene and formed a secondary blockade.