Surrey RCMP officers remain at the Pacific Highway border crossing, attempting to remove the remaining protesters opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
More than a dozen people blocked traffic to and from the border on Monday morning. Dozens more joined as the day went on and some are expected to remain overnight.
The border is open, Surrey RCMP said, but vehicle traffic is being diverted to alternate border crossings. Pedestrians are also being encouraged to use alternate routes.
On Monday, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said the province supports Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in using the Emergencies Act to deal with protests holding other parts of the country “economic hostage.”
Trudeau announced Monday he would be invoking the act for the first time in Canada’s history, giving the federal government temporary and extraordinary powers to curtail the demonstrations.
He said the measures would be geographically targeted based on need, but did not specify how this would impact B.C.
Concrete barriers were placed along 176th Street to prevent further escalation of the Pacific Highway border protest on Sunday night.
Around 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Surrey RCMP and other police forces moved in and made arrests. Police stood shoulder to shoulder, moving the protesters back, leading to a standoff.
So far, four people have been arrested and are facing mischief charges.
The protesters have said they oppose COVID-19 measures and want to have their voices heard.
Access to the border has been restricted since Saturday when a vehicle convoy from Chilliwack descended on the border crossing.
Hundreds of people, many draped in Canadian flags, flooded the highway south of 8th Avenue, dancing and periodically breaking out into chants of “freedom” and rounds of the national anthem.
Currently, there is no access to 176 Street south of 8th Avenue. In addition, 0 Avenue is blocked at 184 Street to westbound traffic.
The Pacific border is the main crossing for truckers in the province. Highway cameras on Monday showed long lines of commercial trucks at the Aldergrove and Sumas border crossings further east of Surrey.
Dave Earle, the president of the B.C. Trucking Association, said the closure is causing inconvenience, but it’s minor compared to the impacts that fires and floods had in the province last year.
“What we are hearing from our members is it is taking a little longer but it’s not insurmountable by any stretch of the imagination,” he said. “Of all the disruptions that we’ve had in the past year, this is the least problematic.”
In a Monday news release, the Mounties said they respect the right to peaceful protest but will not tolerate unlawful activity. Several investigations are ongoing, they said.
“Over the weekend I was on scene to support policing operations and to assess the situation on Highway 15 firsthand. I understand the frustration of the public who wish to see this situation end,” said Brian Edwards, Officer in Charge of Surrey RCMP, in the release.
“I want to assure our community that I am committed to seeing this situation resolved safely, peacefully and as soon as possible.”
On Friday, British Columbia reported another 17 COVID-related deaths, for a total of 324 fatalities since the start of 2022.
— with files The Canadian Press and Global News’ Simon Little