Two Men Sentenced for Roles in Coutts Border Blockade

Two Men Sentenced for Roles in Coutts Border Blockade

Two Alberta men have been sentenced for their roles in the illegal Coutts border blockade in 2022. Marco Van Huigenbos received a four-month jail sentence, while Gerhard (George) Janzen was ordered to serve three months in the community and complete 100 hours of community service.

Justice Keith Yamauchi delivered the sentence in Lethbridge Court of King's Bench, emphasizing the impact the blockade had on Canadians' lives and the need for consequences for such actions. Both men were convicted of mischief over $5,000 for their involvement in the blockade, which disrupted cross-border traffic with the United States for two weeks in protest of COVID-19 pandemic rules and vaccine mandates.

Van Huigenbos's lawyer requested an absolute or conditional discharge, while Janzen's lawyer argued for a discharge, fine, or suspended sentence. The Crown prosecutor, however, recommended jail sentences for both men, stating that their actions had consequences and that politically motivated crime is not acceptable.

The sentencing sparked mixed reactions. While Honner, Janzen's lawyer, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, Miller, Van Huigenbos's lawyer, expressed disappointment. The emotional debate surrounding individual rights versus collective responsibility, which was evident throughout the protests and court hearings, continues to divide Canadians.