Milk River RCMP issue traffic advisory from Coutts to Lethbridge

By Erika Mathieu
Sunny South News

Milk River RCMP advised travellers of potential delays and disruptions on Jan. 28, the approximate one-year anniversary which marked the start of the demonstration at Coutts border crossing which led to the temporary closure of the crossing in early 2022.

The RCMP media release warned of possible disruptions between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on HWY 4, which impacted some travellers and the traffic flow from Lethbridge to Coutts. However, no disruptions were reported over the weekend.

The initial RCMP release did not give details or causes of the potential “disruption” but informed travellers to “consider alternate routes” and noted “Alberta RCMP and partner organizations will be present to ensure the impact on travellers will be minimized” and maintain public safety.

Notices of the 2023 “Convoy to Coutts” began circulating online on social media in the weeks leading up to the anniversary, and listed meeting points in Claresholm, Fort Macleod, Medicine Hat, and Lethbridge. Several notices posted to various Facebook Groups, including “Canada’s Freedom Radio” advertised a barbecue, guest speakers, and auction draw to raise funds for the four men currently in pre-trial custody. Figures of the total funds raised were not available at the time this article was written.

This comes at a time when Alberta’s Premier, Danielle Smith is facing mounting distrust over whether the government interfered with the administering of justice by contacting Crown prosecutors concerning issuing pardons and dropping charges for Albertans charged with non-weapons-related offences in relation to the Coutts blockades last year.