Local operators withdrew assistance because were concerned about negative attention and comments on social media, according to the report tabled at the Emergencies Act inquiry
The RCMP requested help from more than 100 tow truck companies in Canada and the United States to dismantle the Coutts, Alta., border blockade but they all refused, says an RCMP report tabled with the inquiry examining the federal government’s invocation of the Emergencies Act.
The service then reached out to more than 80 different tow truck companies in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, as well as more than 25 companies in the United States, but they all refused to help remove vehicles, the report adds. The commission has heard extensively about issues procuring heavy tow trucks in Ottawa, where tow truck operatorsif they agreed to help remove the big rigs, pick-up trucks and other vehicles entrenched in the city’s downtown core. There were similar concerns in Windsor with availability of tow trucks.
On Wednesday, the commission heard from Jim Willett, the mayor of the Village of Coutts, which had a population of 245 people as of the most recent census. He said his village was divided by the protest, with about 70 per cent of people in support. “We still have neighbors who won’t talk to each other because of the protests,” he added.
This concern came up in conversation with one of the blockade organizers, Mr. Willett testified, and he recalled that he told the organizer: “the longer it went on, the more the opportunity existed for outside elements to come in and cause disruption.”
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Residential towers in Toronto may top 100 storeysThe Sky Tower going up at 1 Yonge St. (\u0022Pinnacle One\u0022) has proposed a height increase that would put the building at 105 storeys.
Read more »
Protesters at Windsor, Coutts blockades set to testify at Emergencies Act inquiryA local Alberta politician facing charges for participating in “Freedom Convoy” protests at the Coutts, Alta., border blockade is set to testify today at the public inquiry into the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act.
Read more »
Protesters at Windsor, Coutts blockades set to testify at Emergencies Act inquiryA local Alberta politician facing charges for participating in 'Freedom Convoy' protests at the Coutts, Alta., border blockade is set to testify today at the public inquiry into the federal government's use of the Emergencies Act.
Read more »
Protesters at Windsor, Coutts blockades set to testify at Emergencies Act inquiryA local Alberta politician facing charges for participating in \u0022Freedom Convoy\u0022 protests at the Coutts border is set to testify today.
Read more »
Fort Macleod town councillor at Coutts border blockade says the message was lostIt was time go, said Coutts border protester and Fort Macleod town councillor Marco Van Huigenbos, because there was nothing left to stay for.
Read more »
Coutts border blockade grew organically to open communication with Alberta, Fort Macleod councillor testifiesThe Coutts border protest was a peaceful attempt to communicate with the province, a Fort Macleod town councillor testified in Ottawa.
Read more »