It has become a familiar sight over the past week: trucker convoys protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandates and public health restrictions making their way to Ottawa or blocking the Coutts, Alta., border crossing.
Saturday was no exception.
Police warned about traffic snarls as convoys hit Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge, among other Canadian cities.
Edmonton
For the second weekend in a row, a convoy of trucks and other vehicles made its way through Edmonton.
Saturday’s convoy in Edmonton made its way to the Alberta legislature. Edmonton police warned of traffic impacts on Anthony Henday Drive, the Yellowhead, Stony Plain Road, Whitemud Drive, Walterdale Hill, Queen Elizabeth Park Road and the general downtown core from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In a post on social media, the Edmonton Police Service said it is “dedicating crowd and traffic management resources, supported by municipal and provincial partners, to maintain public safety and uphold the rights of all citizens during the demonstration within city limits.”
“Mitigation of disorderly conduct may include warnings, tickets, arrests and gathering evidence for follow-up investigations. EPS is also in contact with federal and provincial partners in monitoring the situations in Coutts and Ottawa,” the EPS said.
Just before 2:30 p.m., Edmonton police said 109 Street, 97 Avenue and roads in the downtown core were experiencing congestion and officers were in the area to deal with traffic and crowd management.
Police estimated 1,000-2,000 vehicles took part.
In an email on Tuesday, Edmonton police said eight tickets and one verbal warning were issued over the course of Saturday’s protest.
Tickets were issued “for a variety of traffic-related violations,” EPS said, “including failure to obey a traffic control device, distracted driving and being off truck routes.” The tickets were issued by EPS’ commercial vehicle inspection unit and traffic enforcement section.
Premier Jason Kenney took to Twitter to acknowledge the protests planned in parts of Alberta Saturday.
“To those involved: by all means, send your message through peaceful, lawful protest,” he said. “But disrupting the lives of your fellow Albertans and creating illegal, dangerous road hazards is totally unacceptable.
“In a democracy, we always have strong disagreements, but we must resolve them within the rule of law.
“Police are responsible for ensuring public safety and lawful conduct on our roads. They can issue stiff penalties, e.g. under Alberta Infrastructure Defence Act, to those blocking roads.”
The City of Edmonton said it is working with the EPS to ensure public safety but added city hall would be closed to the public until further notice.
The Edmonton Transit Service said route 701 was being detoured and Government Transit Centre was closed Saturday until further notice.
Several downtown businesses also announced they would remain closed on Saturday.
District Café & Bakery on 109 Street announced on Instagram it would be closed, adding last Saturday was tough. Buok Fresh Korean Kitchen on 100 Avenue said it too would remain closed and reopen on Monday.
Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi issued a statement Saturday, saying he shares in the frustrations of those whose daily lives are being disrupted by the convoys.
“Everyone has the right to peacefully protest. I firmly believe this. But what we can’t tolerate is protesters coming into our city to create fear or display symbols of hate. This type of behaviour should not be tolerated by law enforcement,” Sohi said.
“I understand the traffic disruptions and constant honking is frustrating for those who live or work downtown. I also understand that many local businesses who have already suffered so much during the pandemic are closing their doors this weekend due to the protest, and I am very sorry to hear this.”
Sohi encouraged Edmontonians to support local businesses by purchasing gift cards or ordering takeout when they reopen.
Calgary
A convoy also rolled through Calgary.
About 30 vehicles moving at around 10 kilometres per hour made their way around the city on Saturday, police said.
The Calgary Police Service called it a “bearhug” convoy along Stoney Trail, adding that officers and Alberta Sheriffs were working with organizers.
CPS said officers would not provide an escort but will look to “minimize the disruption to the community” and will only intervene if there are issues.
The City of Calgary and CPS released a joint statement about the convoy on Saturday evening, saying they “proactively worked together to ensure public safety.”
“We can now advise that the convoy remained on its planned route along Stoney Trail,” they said in a news release.
“There were minor traffic slowdowns as a result, but there were no blockades. The convoy organizer remained in contact with police for the duration of the event.”
Lethbridge
The Lethbridge Police Service advised residents about the “slow-moving convoy” in the city on Saturday, saying it was making its way north along Mayor Magrath Drive.
“Motorists are advised to expect delays or take alternate routes,” LPS said in a news release.
“Police are actively monitoring the situation.”
Police said the convoy completed its route and dispersed by 2 p.m.
“Aside from a minor, no-injury collision involving several vehicles along Scenic Drive and 16 Avenue South, the event occurred without incident,” LPS said.
“Police thank the public for their patience and co-operation and everyone involved for their respectful behaviour within the city.”
Brooks convoy collision
RCMP responded to a three-vehicle collision on Highway 1 west of Brooks on Saturday at 1:45 p.m. resulting in non-life-threatening injuries.
“One farm tractor was moving slowly in a small convoy with at least one other pickup truck when a second pickup truck struck the first truck in the rear bumper, pushing it off the road,” police said in a news release.
“The second truck continued forward and struck the rear left tire of the farm tractor, shearing it completely off.”
Police said the second truck and the tractor tire hit the median ditch.
Mounties noted they are aware of multiple convoys and protests, and are “monitoring and deploying resources as needed to ensure public safety.”
“While everyone has the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, we remind individuals to do so within the confines of the law,” RCMP said.
“As a result of convoys, traffic in several areas of the province is extremely slow. We ask that everyone be lawful, respectful and patient when encountering slow-moving traffic.”
RCMP said this incident is “illustrative of how large, slow-moving convoys can greatly reduce the safety of our provincial highways.”
“Travelling at the posted speed limit is meant to maintain the free flow of traffic and will reduce the chance of other motorists growing impatient with delays in their travel,” police said.
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