Barlow Encouraging Protestors Not To Block Key Alberta Crossing

The protest at the Coutts/Sweet Grass border crossing continues.

On Saturday, protesters on horseback joined the blockade there, with over 100 horses reportedly on the scene.

John Barlow is an Alberta MP and Conservative Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food.

He says while he understands what they are trying to achieve, he encourages them not to block the border crossing.

"You know, I support them wholeheartedly, but it's the means to the end. I do not want that border crossing blocked or some of these really important transportation corridors. As you know, we are trying to move live animals. You know, feed is at a crisis right now, and we need to ensure that corn that we're bringing out from the United States - that's a vital lifeline right now - is able to get to where it needs to go."

Barlow says there are some components that the Conservatives are trying to propose to the Government.

"That is, you know, putting your shoulder to the railways to make sure that they are meeting the contracts and making sure that we get rail cars moving for feed. You know, back in 2012, when we were in government, we had the forage and livestock transportation assistance program. We looped that through AgriRecovery to ensure that we could cost share a lot of the rail costs and transportation costs. They could look at doing something again, like that. Look at some initiatives to help in designated drought areas, because of that extraordinary costs of transportation or transporting feed. You know, these are some things that they could be doing. Certainly remove the mandate on truckers, let's ensure that they can be moving, you know, not only across international borders between Canada and the United States, but do not implement an interprovincial trade mandate. Otherwise, you know, what lifelines we do have moving will be severed and that will just make a critical situation even worse."

He says the Coutts/Sweetgrass border crossing is key, and we need to see free flowing traffic, not only at that crossing, but on other essential highways as well.

"From Coots to places like Brooks and High River to ensure that the animals get to where they need to go and in a healthy timeline as well. You know, the longer that they're held up there's more opportunity for health issues, and we certainly don't want that either."