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By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

RCMP issue tickets to Coutts protesters during ‘soft enforcement’

Feb 10, 2022 | 5:21 PM

MILK RIVER, AB – RCMP are continuing to conduct enforcement to members of the Coutts convoy that are blocking roadways.

Supt. Roberta McKale told Lethbridge News Now that they have been issuing traffic-related violations where appropriate throughout the protest, which has been ongoing for nearly two weeks now.

Officers conducted a “soft enforcement” Wednesday night along an area of Highway 4 about 18 kilometres south of Milk River for vehicles that are unlawfully parked along the road.

Nine tickets were issued for provincial statute violations to drivers while an “unknown amount” of tickets will be mailed to the registered owners of unoccupied vehicles that have been left on the highway.

Some have called for RCMP to utilize the full extent of authorities under the Critical Infrastructure Defense Act, which could see fines of up to $10,000 for the first offence for those wilfully blocking highways and other “essential infrastructure.”

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McKale could not comment as to whether this has been done to this point nor whether RCMP are considering it.

READ MORE: Medicine Hat woman says Coutts blockade kept family from their dying mother’s bedside

Other than having to deal with vehicles parked along roadways, she says there have not been any major issues between RCMP and protesters that she is aware of.

“I think, from a perspective of police interactions, I would describe it as a peaceful interaction.”

At the time we spoke with McKale on Thursday afternoon, traffic is moving, albeit slowly, in both directions on Highway 4 south of Milk River. Vehicles are still not able to make their way across the Coutts/Sweetgrass border at this time.

RCMP are ensuring, however, that anyone who has a lawful reason to go past the blockades, including people who live in Coutts, is able to get through.