Protestors continue to block traffic trying to access the Emerson border crossing.

According to RCMP, the protest started early Thursday morning and involves semi-trailers, farm machinery and passenger vehicles. Officers from the Emerson and Morris RCMP detachments have been on scene since the arrival of the vehicles and have received assistance from other RCMP detachments and units throughout the province. RCMP immediately dispatched Divisional Liaison Officers to the scene and they are working with the protestors to reach a peaceful resolution.

by everyone involved and everyone affected," says Chief Superintendent Rob Hill, Officer in Charge of Criminal Operations for the Manitoba RCMP. "The role of the RCMP is to ensure public safety and keep the peace while balancing the rights afforded to every Canadian under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms."

He says the RCMP is on scene and will remain on scene until the situation at the border is resolved. Officers will continue to use discretion to guide response to this evolving situation.

"Let me stress that proper use of police discretion should not be confused with lack of enforcement," notes Hill. "We always need to assess the situation at ground level and that may require us to wait for a lower-risk opportunity to do enforcement rather than inflame the situation."

Officers are aware of a number of planned demonstrations throughout the province this weekend and are advising the public to expect delays due to convoys in the areas of Deacons Corner in the RM of Springfield, the Perimeter Highway around Winnipeg, Highway 3 in the Morden area, and the Selkirk area.