Protesters rallied near the Coutts border in early 2022 in opposition to COVID-19 mandates. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By Canadian Press

2022 Incident

Van Herk receives conditional sentence for Coutts convoy protest

Mar 7, 2025 | 3:45 PM

The last of three protesters convicted of mischief for his role in a border protest in southern Alberta has been given a 90-day conditional sentence to be served in the community.

Alex Van Herk will also perform 100 hours of community service and be on one year’s probation for his role in the Coutts blockade.

The blockade was held to protest COVID-19 rules.

It tied up traffic for days at the U.S. border in 2022.

In passing sentence, the judge noted Van Herk was not one of the leaders of the blockade and is on his way to rehabilitation.

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Van Herk’s lawyer says Van Herk is remorseful for what he did and recognizes there was no justification to break the law.

Crown prosecutor Steven Johnston had asked for a three or four-month term in jail to send the message that political beliefs don’t justify criminal behaviour.

The two others convicted alongside Van Herk have already been sentenced.

(The Canadian Press)

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