Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki says traffic at Coutts border is open and all protesters have moved on.

RCMP are keeping a presence to ensure this continues.

#yeg #yyc #ableg #Covid19ab
Zablocki says the dangerous criminal activity happening away from cameras near Coutts was real and potentially dangerous.

Says all decisions made were with safety as the top priority.
Zablocki thanks other authorities including US partners in dealing with the blockade.
Chief Superintendent Trevor Daroux says since RCMP became aware of protests, they have been engaging those involved.

Primary goal was public safety an facilitate lawful protest - that is, an open border.

Also were there to ensure peaceful protest rights were allowed.
Daroux says protesters said they would be there lawfully.

But he adds once protesters established themselves at the border, it became illegal.
Daroux says protesters regularly breached security lines, putting people at risk.

During the assessment stage of how to deal with it, towing companies backed out over concerns that they might face issues with their business.
Daroux says they became aware of serious threat in form of heavily-armed group among protesters.

Took immediate action- said threat was very serious .
Among the charges from Coutts?

4 counts of conspiracy to commit murder
Q!

What's involved in conspiracy to commit murder?

Daroux says it is a very serious charge, adds there many factors in laying a charge like that.
Protesters seemed to run at RCMP members with their cars, and no charges?

RCMP say it's not okay to do that, and investigations are still ongoing and they expect more charges to follow.
Why were these people breaching barricades, etc allowed to walk away without charge?

RCMP says you can't walk away from that, but just because you didn't see it on site doesn't mean investigation isn't continuing.

Where evidence is available, charges will be laid.
Is there any connection between those charged in Coutts and insurrectionist groups?

RCMP say that is part of the investigation,
How integrated was the criminal cell into the larger group?

RCMP say some groups will infiltrate larger group to further their cause, can be very serious.

The weapons and charges highlight the jeopardy for officers and community.
Did the criminal cell begin during protest or as it part of larger group already?

RCMP says they are looking into that.
Were those charged in Coutts protest known to police?

RCMP say threat became known a few days into the protest.
Are you pursuing any organized crime or anti-terrorism laws?

RCMP say they are looking at different avenues.
Are you looking to freeze any assets under new rules?

RCMP say these tools weren't available at the time but could be used in future situations.
Who as the conspiracy of murder charge targeted towards?

RCMP say that officers were the intended targets of those charged.

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More from @cspotweet

Feb 15
Health Minister Copping pointing to wastewater saying Alberta is well several weeks past the Omicron peak.

Adds that current hospitalizations are roughly on par with non-COVID years, saying new admissions have dropped almost every day for past 3 weeks.

#Yeg #yyc #ableg Image
Copping says they will reimpose restrictions if things do worsen.

Says the best plan including following CMOH's orders and to get vaccinated.
Dr. Hinshaw confirms anyone 55+ who is unvaccinated or has had 1 dose of vaccine is eligible for Paxlovid or Sotrovimab treatment.

They should get a PCR test immediately if they display symptoms in order to then talk to physician.
Read 4 tweets
Feb 14
Premier Kenney at an afternoon presser says he doesn't think Emergencies Act will affect Alberta as they already have the tools to handle the Coutts blockade.

Says light touch there was just due to investigation into potentially violent cell- can now move to enforcement.
Kenney says he told the PM that's it's a sensitive time and that invocation of the Emergencies Act could flare up tensions.
Kenney says one concern is that the feds could use the powers over the province's objections- worries about precedent it might set.

Adds PMJT can work to reduce the tensions by saying he's working with U.S. to drop trucker vaccine mandate
Read 6 tweets
Feb 14
Pm Justin Trudeau says the Emergency Act powers are geographically specific, not a blanket across the country.

Will only be used where it's needed by local authorities
Are you inflaming the situation by invoking Emergencies Act?

Trudeau says focus on Canadians and impacts of pandemic who just want this to be over.

But those who disagree with govt measures to keep Canadians safe have gone from protesting to limiting freedoms of others.
Would you go forward in provinces that don't agree with invoking Emergencies Act?

Trudeau says they are talking to leaders across the country, says act simply provides additional tools to police on site- it's not automatically an intervention from feds.
Read 6 tweets
Feb 14
BREAKING:

PM Justin Trudeau invokes the Emergencies Act in response to the various blockades/occupations.

#Yeg #yyc #ableg #cndpoli
These tools include ability to impose fines or imprisonment will protect critical infrastructure to economy and jobs, such as border crossings an airports.

Also can be used to tow vehicles blocking roads.
Trudeau says financial institutes will be authorized or directed to render essential service such as regulating or prohibiting property to fund illegal blockades.
Read 14 tweets
Feb 14
Premier Kenney says using the Emergencies Act is unnecessary for an Alberta context, sys they have all of the tools they need here.

#yeg #yyc #ableg #covid19ab
Kenney says Bill 1 has similar sanctions as court injunction used to handle Ambassador bridge.

Says feds reaching overtop without offering anything in particular would be unhelpful.

Wants to find ways to enforce with current tools.
Premier Kenney says enacting federal Emergencies Act could embolden protesters to dig in further.

Adds that if its believed that it's needed in other jurisdictions, he will respect the feds decision.
Read 4 tweets
Feb 14
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.
Read 12 tweets

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