The UCP confirmed it spent $840,000 procuring needed equipment to clear the blockade at Coutts, Alta. border during protests in February. .RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki testified in front of the Emergencies Act committee on Tuesday and said because RCMP were unable to procure tow trucks to help clear the blockade at Coutts, the Alberta government stepped in and bought equipment to get the job done. .Early on during the border blockade, RCMP had a difficult time acquiring the assistance of towing companies in southern Alberta. The Western Standard spoke with several tow truck companies and was told many did not want to get involved; some even stated they were in support of the protesting truckers. .The Western Standard contacted the government to see what equipment was procured and at what cost to taxpayers. ."Given the federal government refused to take responsibility for the international border, and at the request of the RCMP, Alberta's government procured 8 trucks, three trailers, one loader and one dozer to remove commercial vehicles at the Coutts blockade," confirmed Lindsay Milligan, press secretary to the Office of the Minister of Service Alberta. ."Personnel support and tow truck operators were also procured to help supplement RCMP staff qualified to operate the equipment.".Milligan confirmed the total paid for the equipment was $826,000 and an additional $13,386.13 was paid for the contracted operators and staff needed to run the equipment. ."This was paid for using surplus funds within Service Alberta’s existing fleet division budget," said Milligan.."Thankfully, this equipment was not deployed as the blockade concluded peacefully."."We have no immediate plans to sell the trucks, trailers and heavy equipment (which are now part of the government fleet owned by Service Alberta), and for now they remain at the disposal of the RCMP.".Protests at the Coutts border began on January 29 and lasted just over two weeks. Protest organizers decided to end the blockade when RCMP uncovered a cache of weapons found at a location near the protests..Organizers said a small group of individuals associated with the weapons found had joined the protests and were not operating among the original group. .In all, 14 people were arrested at the blockade, four of which have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder of RCMP officers..On Monday, the Crown filed a direct indictment against one of the four charged and said it intends to try all four accused together.
