Overview

• The Coutts border blockade in early 2022 disrupted Canada-U.S. trade and traffic for two weeks as protesters opposed COVID-19 mandates.
• Marco Van Huigenbos and George Janzen were convicted of mischief over $5,000 for aiding and encouraging the blockade.
• Van Huigenbos was sentenced to four months in jail, while Janzen received a three-month conditional sentence to be served in the community.
• The Crown emphasized the need for deterrence, arguing that politically motivated crimes aimed at creating change through illegal acts cannot be tolerated.
• A third defendant, Alex Van Herk, has delayed sentencing after firing his lawyer, while other protesters involved in related cases have faced varying convictions and sentences.