Delay in sentencing for three ringleaders convicted of mischief at Coutts blockade
Demonstrators against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other restrictions leave in a truck convoy after blocking the highway at the busy U.S. border crossing near Coutts, Alta., on Feb. 15, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)
The sentencing for three men convicted of helping lead and co-ordinate the COVID-19 protest blockade at Coutts, Alta., in 2022 has been delayed.
Alex Van Herk, Marco Van Huigenbos, and Gerhard (George) Janzen were all found guilty by a jury of one count each of mischief over $5,000 in April.
A sentencing hearing was scheduled for Friday but the lawyer for Van Huigenbos is no longer representing him.
Van Huigenbos needs time to retain new counsel and a sentencing date will now be set Oct. 17.
The three were charged for their roles in a blockade that tied up cross-border traffic between Canada and the United States at Coutts for two weeks in early 2022 in protest of COVID-19 rules and restrictions.
The maximum sentence for public mischief over $5000 is 10 years in prison.
--
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Sept. 27, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Hurricane-force winds hitting parts of the B.C. coast as 'bomb cyclone' develops
Hurricane-force winds of more than 120 km/h are hitting parts of the British Columbia coast as a "bomb cyclone" develops off Vancouver Island.
Two undersea cables in Baltic Sea disrupted, sparking warnings of possible ‘hybrid warfare’
Two undersea internet cables in the Baltic Sea have been suddenly disrupted, according to local telecommunications companies, amid fresh warnings of possible Russian interference with global undersea infrastructure.
Sitting too much linked to heart disease –– even if you work out, according to new study
Sitting at your desk all day may put you at greater risk for heart disease –– even if you work out in your spare time, according to new research.
'Embarrassed': NDP MP calls on Randy Boissonnault to resign over false Indigenous claims
A Métis member of Parliament is calling on the employment minister to resign over what he calls harmful false claims to Indigenous ancestry.
Calgary doctor charged with sexual assault of multiple patients
A Calgary doctor is facing charges after allegedly sexually assaulting four patients between 2016 and 2020. Police say all four victims came forward independently in 2023 to report their alleged assaults.
Swiftie's friendship bracelet beads confiscated at Calgary airport
A Canadian Taylor Swift fan has some 'Bad Blood' with the Calgary International Airport after security staff confiscated hundreds of dollars worth of beads she was going to use to make friendship bracelets.
Sarah McLachlan cancels anniversary tour due to health concerns
Sarah McLachlan fans will be saddened to learn the famed Canadian singer has cancelled her 30th anniversary “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy” tour due to health concerns.
Trump chooses TV doctor Mehmet Oz to lead Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday tapped Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former television talk show host and heart surgeon, to head the agency that oversees health insurance programs for millions of older, poor and disabled Americans.
'I'm just tickled pink': Two childhood friends from New Brunswick named Rhodes Scholars
Two young women from New Brunswick have won one of the most prestigious and sought-after academic honours in the world.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Edmonton
-
Scammers have stolen more than $37M in Edmonton this year. Here's how
From text messages to phone calls and in-person interactions, scam artists are trying to con you out of your money.
-
Oilers end road trip with win over Senators
After a shutout loss the night before, the Edmonton Oilers bounced back on Tuesday with a convincing 5-2 victory over the host Ottawa Senators.
-
Developer makes plea to Alberta government to reconsider plan to demolish old museum
An Edmonton property developer known for reimaging old buildings says it's bewildered the Alberta government has moved ahead with a plan to tear down the former provincial museum.
Lethbridge
-
Corb Lund turns up volume over proposed coal mining in Crowsnest Pass area
On Tuesday night, Alberta country music star Corb Lund used his platform to turn the volume up on the issue, just as Crowsnest Pass residents voted on whether they want coal mining in their backyard.
-
First snowfall in Lethbridge causes headaches for drivers
Lethbridge awoke to its first snowfall of the season on Tuesday. It was only a few centimetres, but it left many Lethbridge roads icy. Much of it melted in the afternoon.
-
Lethbridge police advise of changes amid Canada Post workers strike
The ongoing Canada Post workers strike is affecting the ability of many to go about their day-to-day, Lethbridge Police Service included.
Vancouver
-
Incoming ‘bomb cyclone’ could bring coastal flooding
Flooding in coastal areas could occur across the Lower Mainland on Wednesday, as the incoming bomb cyclone looks set to bring with it higher than usual tides.
-
All NDP MLAs receive a new title, and all but one get a raise
Premier David Eby’s new cabinet is a big one. Despite winning ten fewer seats than former premier John Horgan, he has three more ministers than the previous leader.
-
Hurricane-force winds hitting parts of the B.C. coast as 'bomb cyclone' develops
Hurricane-force winds of more than 120 km/h are hitting parts of the British Columbia coast as a "bomb cyclone" develops off Vancouver Island.
Vancouver Island
-
Hurricane-force winds hitting parts of the B.C. coast as 'bomb cyclone' develops
Hurricane-force winds of more than 120 km/h are hitting parts of the British Columbia coast as a "bomb cyclone" develops off Vancouver Island.
-
Strong winds, downed trees force closure of Vancouver Island highway
An almost 40 kilometre stretch of Highway 4 on Vancouver Island was closed Tuesday evening due to the impacts of a storm that forecasted to batter the South Coast.
-
BC Ferries cancels sailings on major routes due to incoming storm
BC Ferries has cancelled Tuesday evening's sailings between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island in anticipation of an incoming storm.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon medical aesthetics business closes, leaving clients out thousands
Clients of a medical aesthetics business in Saskatoon are left waiting for any indication their pre-bought services will be fulfilled after the business closed permanently.
-
'Nowhere to go': Saskatoon community groups rise to offer warm shelter as temperatures plummet
As Saskatoon buckles down for winter, the staff at Prairie Harm Reduction gears up for the influx of people through their doors.
-
Saskatoon clearing priority streets after first major snowfall
Saskatoon residents woke to find the city under a blanket of snow on Tuesday, with around 10 centimetres falling overnight and more on the way.
Regina
-
Sask. experiences first snowfall of the winter season, conditions affecting travellers
Since Monday night, snow has been falling in Saskatchewan in many areas throughout the province. This has caused chaos both on the roads for drivers and those passengers travelling by air.
-
Indigenous elders, archaeologists, scholars come together to explore significant sites
A group of Indigenous elders, archaeologists and scholars have come together to explore historically significant sites pertaining to Indigenous ancestry.
-
Provincial emergency alert test scheduled for Wednesday
Those in Saskatchewan may get an alert on their cell phones, TV, and radio Wednesday afternoon as part of a provincial emergency alert test.
Toronto
-
Man charged with attempted murder after one person shot while trying to stop Mississauga home invasion
A 28-year-old man has been arrested in connection with armed home invasions in Mississauga, Toronto, and Brampton, including one incident where one person was shot and seriously injured.
-
Here are the most stolen vehicles in Ontario in 2023
The Lexus RX has topped this year’s list of the most stolen vehicles in Ontario as the auto theft crisis continues to worsen across the province and country.
-
Premier Ford says Toronto's estimate of bike lane removal cost 'bunch of hogwash'
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the City of Toronto’s early estimate of the cost to remove three major bike lanes is 'a bunch of hogwash.'
Montreal
-
Montreal rally marks 1,000 days of war in Ukraine
A crowd gathered in downtown Montreal on Tuesday to mark the 1,000 days since the start of the war in Ukraine.
-
Quebec agrees to delay dismantling of homeless encampment in east Montreal
The dismantling of a homeless encampment this week in Montreal's east end has been averted — for now.
-
Montreal wants assault weapons banned before buy back program starts
Mayor Valerie Plante is urging the federal government to implement wider gun control measures by banning all assault weapons before Canada starts its buy back program.
Atlantic
-
Cape Breton man's disappearance now ruled a homicide
Police in Cape Breton are now treating the disappearance of Kenneth “Justin” MacDonald as a homicide.
-
N.S. teacher previously charged with sexual offences with student facing new charges for breaching conditions: RCMP
The RCMP in Nova Scotia says a teacher who was previously charged for sexual offences with a student is facing new charges after contacting a youth victim.
-
Residents worried after mistaken emergency alert at NSCC campus in Truro
A mistaken alert from a college in Truro, N.S., left some residents and students in the area worried.
Winnipeg
-
Police say threat resolved after report of man with knife at University of Manitoba
An incident involving reports of a man armed with a knife at the University of Manitoba Fort Garry Campus has been resolved according to Winnipeg police.
-
Blowing snow, poor visibility forcing road closures
A winter storm rolling into southwestern Manitoba is bringing dangerous driving conditions with it.
-
Blizzard conditions met migrants at Manitoba-Minnesota border crossing, trial hears
Witnesses have testified about brutal cold along the border between Manitoba and Minnesota, where a family from India froze to death in early 2022 while trying to walk into the United States.
Ottawa
-
Five people injured, including firefighter, after garage fire in South Keys
A firefighter was taken to hospital in stable condition and four others were treated for smoke inhalation after fire on Southgate Rd.
-
Federal land in Ottawa's west end now available for housing
The federal government is making a piece of land available for future housing in Ottawa's west end, on land around the historic building that houses a Keg Restaurant.
-
Ottawa restaurant claims spot on Canada's top 100 list
A cozy dining spot in Ottawa's Little Italy has cracked OpenTable's top 100 restaurants in Canada for 2024.
Northern Ontario
-
'Embarrassed': NDP MP calls on Randy Boissonnault to resign over false Indigenous claims
A Métis member of Parliament is calling on the employment minister to resign over what he calls harmful false claims to Indigenous ancestry.
-
Drinking water advisory issued for certain streets in Greater Sudbury
People living on Morris Street east of Van Horne and all streets leading off Morris in Greater Sudbury are under a drinking water advisory, the health unit said Tuesday.
-
Seven-month road construction project comes to an end in Timmins
The City of Timmins is putting the final touches on Algonquin Boulevard East, between Balsam Street and Brunette Road.
Barrie
-
Armed and barricaded person in Barrie, Ont., immediate area evacuated
Barrie police are on the scene of an ongoing investigation in the area of Bayfield Street and Heather Street.
-
One person seriously injured in possible hit-and-run in Barrie
Police in Barrie are investigating what they believe could be a hit-and-run after an individual was found in the city’s north end Tuesday morning with serious injuries.
-
Gravel truck driver charged after rollover collision
Provincial police are investigating a gravel truck rollover in Kawartha Lakes Tuesday morning.
Kitchener
-
Mother says spreading kindness is helping her heal after son’s tragic death
The mother of a man who was fatally shot in Cambridge is marking the painful anniversary of his death by giving to others.
-
'Doors shaking from bombing': Ukrainian refugee living in Kitchener looks back at 1,000 days of Ukraine-Russia war
A Ukrainian, now living in Kitchener, describes what life is like back home and what she's doing to help her fellow refugees.
-
When will we see the first snow of the season?
The first snowfall of the season could come this week – but don’t worry, it won’t be sticking around.
London
-
'The word Labatt is missing': Sign stolen from entrance to Labatt Park
The entrance to Labatt Park looks a little different after thieves stole part of the metal sign.
-
City seeks feedback from residents in subdivisions under construction
If you live in a neighbourhood that’s still under construction, you may not realize that most of the basic city services are the responsibility of the developer, as opposed to the city itself.
-
Road closures for BRT work in London
Work on the BRT traffic lights will result in some overnight lane closures in London.
Windsor
-
Warrant issued for murder suspect in death of missing Windsor man
An arrest warrant has been issued by Windsor police for a 30-year-old woman wanted related to the death of a man who went missing earlier this year.
-
'It’s a weapon': Coalition of Ontario councillors oppose use of notwithstanding clause
A total of 41 Ontario councillors have signed onto their own letter in opposition to the potential use of the notwithstanding clause as a means to address encampment, mental health and addictions crises. It’s in response to the letter to the premier from a dozen mayors backing the use of the measure if necessary.
-
Defence lawyer accuses RCMP of 'trickery' in terrorism interview
The defence lawyer in the ongoing Bertrand trial has accused the RCMP of “trickery” during an interview.
