Man convicted in Coutts border protest loses appeal over parole decision

A truck adorned with Canadian and American flags is shown at the blockade at the United States border at Coutts, Alta., Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

One of the men convicted of mischief and firearms violations in connection with the 2022 Coutts, Alta., border blockade has lost another court battle.

The Parole Board of Canada’s Appeal Division, in a decision filed on Dec. 29, 2025, affirmed the parole board’s judgement in denying full and day parole for Anthony Olienick.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

In the hearing, Olienick said the original parole hearing was “sabotaged” by the RCMP officers called to testify before the board’s members, who previously were police officers.

The Appeal Division disagreed with his claim.

“After reviewing the information in your file and listening to the audio recording of the hearing, the Appeal Division finds no basis to your claims. The Appeal Division finds that the board demonstrated impartiality and fairness throughout the hearing,” the decision reads.

It went on to say that the parole board engaged with Olienick during the hearing and respected his concerns when he said he could not answer certain questions because of his appeal.

His other issues, such as board members previously serving roles in other branches of law enforcement, “does not in and of itself demonstrate a bias or a conflict of interest.”

“Board members come to the board with a variety of personal and professional experiences, and in many cases have previous involvement in the criminal justice system. While you claim that one of the board members is a friend of the alleged victims of the charges being appealed by the Crown, you have not provided any relevant, reliable, and persuasive information to support this claim.

“The Appeal Division finds that the board’s decision is internally coherent and based on a rational chain of analysis that is justified by the factual and legal constraints imposed on the board. The Appeal Division was able to connect the dots and follow the reasoning process in the board’s decision, thus bearing the hallmarks of a reasonable decision.”

• Coutts border blockade protesters serving time for mischief, weapons possession denied parole
• Alberta protesters get 6 1/2-year sentences for roles in Coutts border blockade
• Judge says men convicted in Coutts blockade were ready for shootout with police

Olienick was sentenced in September 2024 for his role in the protest that blocked traffic at the Canada-U.S. border crossing for approximately two weeks.

He was found guilty alongside another man, Chris Carbert, after RCMP found them in possession of guns, ammunition and body armour that was stashed inside trailers set up at the blockade.

During the trial, the man said they were taking a necessary stand against potential tyranny and injustice.

While both were sentenced to six-and-a-half years, they were also given four years’ credit for time already served.

(With files from the Canadian Press)