Police block carbon tax protesters from interfering with traffic

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Police prevented federal carbon tax protesters from disrupting traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway on Tuesday, citing safety concerns.

In a media release, RCMP said their impartial role in the protest is ensuring the public’s right to a safe environment, while protecting the demonstrators’ rights to a safe, peaceful and lawful demonstration.

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“We do not take enforcement action lightly, but the safety of motorists, protesters and a traveller’s right to use a public highway must be maintained. It is extremely unsafe to stand or impede traffic on a public roadway,” said RCMP.

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A day earlier, one lane of the highway west of Calgary near the intersection with Highway 22 was cordoned off with pylons to accommodate the protesters.

Several RCMP vehicles, both marked and unmarked, were observed in the vicinity of demonstrations on Tuesday.

RCMP advised protesters that they will be on location to ensure they remain off the highway and do not impede the flow of traffic.

Frank, a protester who declined to share his last name, said he and his wife have been at the protest since it started Monday morning. They arrived Tuesday to about a dozen officers standing in the shoulder of the Trans-Canada Highway, preventing protesters from entering the roadway.

Frank said that not being able to go on the road has affected their message. “At least we got some publicity last night, so more and more people know what we’re doing here.”

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Five large farm tractors caused a multi-vehicle collision en route to an approved protest site in the Crowsnest Pass region Monday afternoon, which RCMP said serves as a reminder that protesting on a public highway is not safe.

Arja Theune has been protesting among many others since Monday morning. She said the protesters don’t need to block the road.

“They (RCMP) are doing a wonderful job slowing the traffic down, a wonderful job getting attention to us,” said Theune.

She said it’s been a peaceful protest, and RCMP officers overall have been friendly.

Organizers say protests to continue until federal carbon tax rescinded

One of several protests that began across the country on Monday in response to the increase to the federal carbon tax rate, organizers say the plan is to continue until the tax is rescinded.

Alberta’s Critical Infrastructure Defence Act protects essential infrastructure — such as provincial highways — from damage or interference caused by blockades or protests.

RCMP did not immediately respond to questions of why protesters were allowed on the Trans-Canada Highway on Monday, but not on Tuesday.

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Calgary drivers experienced an increase in fuel prices last week, ahead of the federal carbon tax hike and a simultaneous increase in the provincial fuel tax.

The federal tax increased from $65 per tonne of emissions to $80, which equates to a 3.3-cent increase per litre at the pump. Costs for other fuels such as diesel, propane and natural gas have also increased.

The provincial gas tax was reinstated at nine cents per litre in January, and subsequently brought up to the full 13 cents per litre on Monday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says critics are ignoring the quarterly rebate cheques that families receive — $225 for a single person, $337.50 for a couple and $450 for a family of four in Alberta.

The next federal rebates are due April 15.

— With files from Laurice Gomes, Matt Scace, and The Canadian Press

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