‘Don’t do it’: Premier says he will not tolerate a potential blockade at N.S.-N.B. border

Tim Houston’s comments come after a group on social media said they are planning a potential ‘border shutdown’ to join in on the trucker convoy’s rally

CITYnews halifax \ Chris Halef

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Nova Scotia’s premier says a potential blockade of the province’s border with New Brunswick will not be tolerated this weekend.

Earlier this month, Ottawa implemented a mandate on essential workers, including truckers, that would require them to show proof of full vaccination when crossing into the country.

The policy had already been in place for non-essential travellers.

This has since sparked outrage from some in the industry, prompting a truckers’ convoy to head to our nation’s capital to protest.

Since then, a group on social media has planned a proposed “border shutdown” at the Nova Scotia-New Brunswick border this Saturday to join in on the convoy’s protest.

Speaking at Wednesday’s COVID-19 briefing, Premier Tim Houston had a stern message for those planning this blockade.

“Don’t do it,” said Houston. “Nova Scotians have no patience for highway blockades and personally, many people would know, I have even less.”

Houston said he understands people have different opinions on government policies, but this is not the way to voice frustrations.

“This is a tough time for everyone but the vaccines work, the vaccines are effective,” he said. “Those that can get vaccinated should get vaccinated, that’s the path forward. The path forward does not involve blocking highways, it involves getting vaccinated.”

He adds he has great confidence that law enforcement will handle an event like this appropriately if it does end up happening.

In June 2021, protesters set up a blockade at the provincial border demonstrating against restrictions that required most travellers from New Brunswick to self-isolate upon arrival in Nova Scotia