Thread by @cspotweet

Q!

Are you disturbed by protesters actions against RCMP, and how will they be dispersed?

Kenney says it is disturbing ramming RCMP vehicles, says it happened earlier, too.

Adds weapons are more disturbing and intelligence showing group had violent intent.

Kenney says vast majority of protesters are law abiding, but at Coutts in that case, a small cell of people who wanted to take this in a dark and dangerous direction.

Thanks RCMP for restraint given investigation.

Kenney says there has been attempts to politicize the situation in Coutts - understand call for immediate enforcement

But important for govt to work with RCMP to avoid inflaming situation with potentially violent cell group.

What else are you doing?

Kenney says they have an alternate site nearby for protesters that would be safer and not limit border access - but protesters wouldn't budge.

Reiterates that enforcement had to wait until potential for violence reduced.

Premier Kenney says some protesters and sympathizers have threatened heavy equipment operators to not cooperate with RCMP.

Adds that the equipment has been secured, RCMP will update later.

How do you feel protests still going after lifting REP, etc?

Kenney has no problem with lawful, peaceful protest.

Adds careful plan isn't based on anyone protesting, but rather that restrictions aren't needed now to protect hospitals, keeping them is just damaging.

Kenney says many protesters are in the "let er rip" crowd who denied COVID was real, the pressures on hospitals and the efficacy of vaccines.

Doing that would have "filled up the morgue."

Kenney says protesters do have a rightful beef with Feds.

Says some of the fed measures are bad political theatre.

Adds if you're angry, it's not with the government of Alberta.

Can you give accurate analysis going in Coutts for truck count?

Kenney says there were 40 commercial trucks at the border, and joined by farm implements, etc

There were 1,000 on first day as part of rolling convoy near Coutts, but 90% left afterwards.

Kenney says blockade dropped to 100 commercial trucks, but then over past 9 days, it's been at 40 in the daily RCMP reports.

At checkpoint 10, there have been other gatherings with about a dozen commercial trucks.

What effects does the Coutts blockade have n economy?

Kenney says it is modest, Coutts not only border crossing, citing five others.

Early on, says 35 truckers were stuck and some mean spoiled.

Ag/transport talking to stakeholders to make sure they know where to cross now.

Kenney says CBSA only has northbound inspectors at Coutts, which complicates things- working to address that.