Five farm tractors caused a multi-vehicle collision en route to a carbon tax protest site in the Crowsnest Pass on Monday, RCMP said.
In a release sent Tuesday, police said 50 vehicles were at an approved protest site in the Crowsnest Pass but the tractor drivers refused to stop when officers were attempting a traffic check.
The Mounties say the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
“This incident serves as a reminder that protesting on a public highway is not safe,” the RCMP said in a news release.
“We do not take enforcement action lightly, but the safety of motorists, protesters and a traveller’s right to use a public highway must be maintained. It is extremely unsafe to stand or impede traffic on a public roadway.”
The police say it is unlawful for a vehicle to park or remain stationary on a highway unless the vehicle is broken down or directed to stop by officers.
“The RCMP have advised the protesters that we will … ensure they remain off the highway and do not impede the flow of traffic along an extremely busy corridor.”
Carbon tax protesters were also on Highway 1 west of Calgary on Monday, as well as about a dozen other locations across the country.
Protesters in Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick gathered to voice their displeasure with the April 1 carbon tax hike at the pumps, despite the fact rebates are also rising in each of those provinces.
Cochrane RCMP had advised of “potential delays or disruption” on Highway 1 in a news release sent at around 10 a.m. Monday.
“If you have travel plans in this area during this time, consider alternate routes,” the initial release said.
“Alberta RCMP and partner organizations will be present to ensure that the impact on travellers will be minimized and to ensure traffic disruption will not affect public safety.”