Trans-Canada Highway reopens in N.B., N.S. after police closure due to carbon tax protest
N.B. RCMP says Highway 2 is open to all traffic; 1 lane of Highway 104 westbound in N.S. also reopened
The Trans-Canada Highway near the New Brunswick and Nova Scotia provincial border has reopened after a brief shutdown by police because of a large protest over the federal carbon tax.
All four lanes on Highway 2 near Aulac, N.B., and one lane of Highway 104 westbound in Nova Scotia reopened around 2 p.m. AT after being closed for approximately three hours Monday.
New Brunswick RCMP Cpl. James Gallant said the road had been closed for "safety concerns" due to a large number of protesters, but did not elaborate on the specific concerns.
"As with any protest our role is to maintain order and keep the peace," he said.
Protesters gathered early Monday morning at two locations near provincial borders, with crowds forming in Aulac along Highway 2 and on N.B. Route 16 near the Confederation Bridge.
On the Trans-Canada Highway, about 50 vehicles were pulled over on the shoulder and approximately 100 protesters were waving signs opposing the carbon tax, according to Radio-Canada journalists at the scene.
On Route 16, about 30 people were protesting on the side of the road.
Just before 11 a.m., New Brunswick RCMP issued an advisory that traffic was being diverted in both eastbound and westbound lanes on Highway 2 near the border.
RCMP in Nova Scotia posted on X that Highway 104 westbound was closed at exit 3 to assist New Brunswick RCMP.
Harold McFadden, who was waiting in his truck, said he was aware of the protest and didn't mind the delay.
"I think what they're doing is absolutely the right thing to do," he said. "I could sit here all day."
Some people in the backed-up traffic grew frustrated, with one driver calling it a "serious nuisance."
The situation left other motorists like Don Polly, confused over what was going on. He was trying to get home to Aulac late Monday morning when traffic came to a standstill.
"It ain't going to do much good until election time," he said, after learning of the protest. "I got a bunch of stuff to do."
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With files from Louis-Philippe Trozzo, Radio-Canada