Former MP Condemns Prosecution of Coutts Protesters: Does the Charter Even Matter Anymore?
Today, I’m at the Lethbridge courthouse in Alberta, covering the sentencing hearing for the Coutts Trio—Alex Van Herk, Marco Van Huigenbos, and George Janzen. These three men, who are farmers, fathers, and passionate Canadians, could face up to 10 years in prison.
Video report: Former MP Condemns Prosecution of Coutts Protesters: Does the Charter Even Matter Anymore?
Today, I’m at the Lethbridge courthouse in Alberta, covering the sentencing hearing for the Coutts Trio—Alex Van Herk, Marco Van Huigenbos, and George Janzen.
These three men, who are farmers, fathers, and passionate Canadians, could face up to 10 years in prison. In an exclusive interview with Media Bezirgan, former MP and police officer Art Hanger criticized the prosecution and questioned whether the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as the Bill of Rights, still hold any relevance.
He remarked, "I'm wondering if these pieces of paper or these documents even are relevant, you know, because we're talking about the state imposing restrictions on the very rights—the God-given rights—that the Charter is supposed to protect, and the state overrode them."
The sentencing hearing is ongoing and is expected to conclude tomorrow with possible jail time for the three men.
Related stories
Help cover legal risk, travel, and fees to obtain court and regulatory records.
Get our next investigation by email
We’ll email you when we publish. No spam; unsubscribe anytime.
Thanks, you’re on the list. We’ll email you when we publish.
