Vaccine mandate protesters force highway closure at Canada-U.S. border in Surrey as rallies enter 3rd weekend

Thousands of people gathered at the Canada-U.S. border in Surrey, B.C., on Saturday for continued protests over pandemic mandates and restrictions, forcing police to close the main route to the Pacific Highway border crossing.

Protesters have been occupying the Pacific Highway crossing in South Surrey since Feb. 5, with a convoy of protesters joining them from Chilliwack on Saturday morning.

The demonstration against public health measures is one of several simultaneous rallies across Canada entering their third weekend.

They come despite complaints from local businesses and residents who say they were threatened by protesters throughout the week, and numerous noise complaints due to loud honking.

"The impact of these blockades is choking already impacted supply chains, businesses and jobs. This is an unacceptable sabotage of the economy," said Anita Huberman, president of the Surrey Board of Trade, in a statement.

"To be clear, everyone has a right to peacefully protest, but these types of demonstrations are impacting businesses and livelihoods."

The Board of Trade said they have signed a letter to the Prime Minister asking for measures to protect border infrastructure and issue immediate injunctions to "assert a clear message that lawlessness will not be tolerated."

The Surrey RCMP said protests at the border were for the most part peaceful, and protesters were engaging "diplomatically" with law enforcement officials.

In a release, officers said there was "significant" traffic congestion at the intersection of 8 Avenue and 176 Street from vehicles and people on foot. Police asked drivers to stay away from the area.

Earlier Saturday, protesters fully blocked the road leading to the border crossing, as RCMP had stopped protesters at the intersection.

As of 1 p.m. PT, the protesters' convoy were moving closer to the border, while trucks were being stopped by Mounties before they reached the border.

Police investigation

Police said some vehicles breached police barricades and drove the wrong way down 176 Street.

"While no injuries were reported as a result of the incident, this had the potential for harm to pedestrians and first responders," said the release. "This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and is being investigated."

Around 6 p.m. PT police said crowds had begun to dissipate, but it is unclear if some protesters will stay at the site overnight.

Police said their goal, with help from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), is to restore "the orderly flow of traffic in the safest manner possible."

In a tweet, the CBSA said the Pacific Highway border remains open, but travellers could experience delays due to the protests in the area. On Sunday morning, a spokesperson for the CBSA confirmed that the advisory to expect delays remained in place as some protesters were still in the area.

Kelowna, Victoria protests

A similar protest was also organized in Kelowna on Saturday, with local leaders in the Okanagan city saying they had no plans to prevent the weekend rallies from happening.

In Victoria, hundreds of people gathered in front of the B.C. Legislature on Belleville Street on Saturday, where they waved flags and held signs demanding an end to current COVID-19 restrictions.

Police in Victoria says traffic was delayed along nearby Douglas Street but no roads were closed or blocked due to the protest.