NDP calling for Coutts blockade to end

The blockade at the Coutts border is entering its 13th day. The Vice-President of the Alberta and Saskatchewan division of Canadian Manufacturers, David MacLean, said between 800 and 1,200 trucks cross at the Coutts border almost every day. That means over $44 million is passed through as well. Lorne Dach, NDP Critic for Transportation, called on the Alberta government to disperse the blockade at Coutts by using its authority over commercial operators’ licenses.

“Through the Traffic Safety Act, the Minister of Transportation has the authority to suspend commercial operator licenses if they fail to follow the use of highway and rules of the road regulation. This is a step that Transportation Minister Rajan Sawhney can take today. It is a serious measure and it would have a significant impact on the livelihoods of those commercial operators that are participating in this illegal blockade.”

The office of Alberta Transportation Minister, Rajan Sawhney, said, “This protest and illegal blockade negatively impacts motorists and commercial carriers who are trying to access our border. This also has a significant impact on our supply chain, not just in Southern Alberta, but across the province and the country. The best way to support all industries is for protestors to move off of critical infrastructure like Highway 4, so those who are stranded and others waiting for critical supplies to be delivered are no longer financially and emotionally impacted. We encourage law enforcement to use every tool available to bring the protest to a peaceful conclusion. Revoking or suspending a commercial license must be preceded by convictions from tickets issued by law enforcement under the Traffic Safety Act. Decisions on how to address the illegal blockade and enforce the law are at the sole discretion of police. We are hopeful the situation is resolved expediently to allow traffic to start flowing across the border without delay.”