Motz asks blockade organizers to stand down

By COLLIN GALLANT on February 4, 2022.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

MP Glen Motz says he’s talked with organizers of a blockade of the U.S.-Canada border near Coutts and told anti-restriction protesters that it’s time to end the stoppage of trade.

“I said the message that they’re trying to get out is getting lost,” said Motz, whose riding of Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner includes Alberta’s only 24-hour border crossing into Montana at Coutts-Sweetgrass.

“I encouraged them that it’s time to open it up.”

The RCMP said late Wednesday that those camped on Highway 4 had opened one lane in either direction, but the situation led to confusing reports throughout the day. Other blockades in support and rolling slowdowns throughout southern Alberta were reported.

Disruptions reportedly began as a protest against a need for truck drivers to be vaccinated before making cross-border trips (a similar mandate is in place in the United States).

Motz said he believes their cause has sympathy in the population, and also told the News that ongoing protests in Ottawa had been misrepresented in the major media.

The Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Cattlefeeders Association and Canadian Cattlemen’s Association issued a joint statement outlining concerns about a prolonged shutdown.

Feed shortages and disruptions of live-cattle shipments would add strain on the sector following a drought year.

“The Canadian and American beef industries are highly integrated. Every day the industry is unable to move cattle, beef, or access feed puts the entire supply chain at risk,” it read.

Diverting loads to other crossings could require cattle liners to travel longer hours that animal health regulations might allow, said Motz.

“It’s a very important border crossing that handles millions of dollars of trade each day,” he said.