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Tensions Rise as Trucker Blockade Chokes Travel at Alberta/US Border Point
Tensions rose on Monday, January 31, at a Canada-US border crossing in southern Alberta, where “more than 100 vehicles” protesting against COVID-19 vaccine mandates blocked movement and stranded other motorists, local media reported. The convoy trapped vehicles traveling to and from the US border between a highway and the crossing at the village of Coutts since Saturday, CBC reported. Coutts Mayor Jim Willett told the Calgary Herald that mail service had stopped and some students have not gone to school due to the blockade. “I’m not really happy about it and I don’t believe a lot of the residents are," he was quoted as saying. The Canadian Border Services Agency closed the Alberta Port of Entry in Coutts to inbound traffic on January 31, according to Montana Right Now. The demonstration is linked to an ongoing protest in Ottawa over rules mandating that truckers who are not fully vaccinated must get a PCR test and quarantine when traveling to and from the US. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said on January 31 that they attempted to find a peaceful solution, but said that protesters “chose not to comply” during negotiations. “We will continue to actively resolve the situation, and would like to remind everyone to stay clear of the area as traffic remains immobile,” the RCMP said. Footage livestreamed by Jarrad Ray McCoy shows the convoy lined up at the Coutts crossing. McCoy said that the demonstrators had moved to let some other truckers and vehicles through. Credit: Jarrad Ray McCoy via Storyful
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