Coutts trio have fresh charges adjourned
By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on October 5, 2022.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com
Three men, including a Fort Macleod town councillor, charged in relation to the Coutts border protest earlier this year, made their first appearance in a Lethbridge courtroom Tuesday.
The accused, Coun. Marco Van Huigenbos, 32, Alex Van Herk, 53, also of Fort Macleod, and Gerhard Janzen, 43, of Taber, sat in the courtroom gallery surrounded by dozens of supporters, as lawyers briefly addressed Judge John Maher.
The accused are each charged with a single count of mischief by obstructing, interrupting or interfering with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property. The charges were adjourned to Nov. 4.
In announcing the charges last month, RCMP accused the men of being “key participants” in the Coutts border blockade.
The Crown has yet to elect whether to proceed by indictment or summary conviction, but on indictment, the charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
During Tuesday’s court hearing, Calgary lawyer Ryan Patmore, who represents Van Herk, said he had only recently been retained and needs more time to receive disclosure and discuss the case with his client.
Calgary lawyer Yoav Niv said he also needs disclosure for his client Van Huigenbos.
“I anticipate receiving that disclosure and taking the next step,” Niv said.
Niv, who also acted as agent on behalf of Janzen’s lawyer, Chad Williamson, asked Crown Prosecutor Matt Dalidowicz to provide a time estimate for trial so a trial could be scheduled as soon a possible.
The protest, which severely limited traffic flow across the border at Coutts between Jan. 29 and Feb. 15, was in response to the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccine requirements related to various industries and travel. The blockade was estimated to cost Canada millions of dollars a day in lost trade revenue.
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