REGINA — Premier Scott Moe is asking protesters who are planning to attend demonstrations at Saskatchewan border crossings to not obstruct the freedoms of other people.
Moe said in a statement Friday that Saskatchewan's economy relies on trucks to carry goods to U.S. markets and bring back materials to help run farms, canola crushing plants, potash mines and forestry mills.
"The people in those trucks and other vehicles crossing the border are your fellow Canadians," Moe said. "They are your Saskatchewan friends and neighbours. Don't advocate for your freedoms by obstructing theirs."
Moe said his Saskatchewan Party government understands the concerns of protesters and respects their right to peaceful protest, noting the province will end its remaining COVID-19 mandates by the end of February.
"Advancing your concerns through public demonstrations and protest is an important part of our democracy," he said.
Protesters are planning to demonstrate against COVID-19 mandates at the Regway border crossing Saturday afternoon, which is believed to be the first border protest in Saskatchewan since the so-called "Freedom Convoy" arrived in Ottawa.
A second protest is planned for Feb. 18 at the North Portal crossing, which is the only 24-hour crossing on the North Dakota-Saskatchewan border.
The Saskatchewan RCMP said it will monitor any demonstration that could take place this weekend.
"Demonstrations may interrupt the normal flow of traffic," RCMP said in a release. "Our objective in policing any road closures/blockades is to work to restore the orderly flow of traffic in the safest manner possible."
RCMP are encouraging the public to check for any road closures and to monitor local media for information on alternate routes.
Meanwhile, a Regina tow truck company said it is being harassed following a demonstration against COVID-19 mandates last Sunday at the Saskatchewan legislature.
TJ's Towing was called by Regina police to impound a vehicle that was blocking a street.
"Shortly after that we started getting death threats," said a spokesperson for the company, who asked to go by the name Lynn because she didn't want to be identified due to the harassment.
"They said they'd shoot me between the eyes if I tried to tow their truck. It's brutal. It's very brutal."
Lynn said people continue to scream at employees, and are trying to tie up their business line with calls. She has received threatening calls from around the world.
As Saskatchewan braces for the possibility of more protests, blockades continued Friday at the border crossing near Coutts in southern Alberta and at the border crossing near Emerson, Man.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 11, 2022.
Mickey Djuric, The Canadian Press
