The B.C. Supreme Court has granted an injunction application by logging company Teal-Jones to remove protestors and blockades near Port Renfrew.
The judge overseeing the case also granted Teal-Jones’ request for police enforcement, saying it is required in this case, as there is “little or no likelihood the injunction order will be respected otherwise.”
Teal-Jones’ application asked for the dismantling and removal of blockades leading to its logging operations in Fairy Creek.
Protestors have sprawled out in front of the Victoria courthouse in response to the decision https://t.co/XxMlRTnhT6 pic.twitter.com/DKA1Zjwb9q
— Ben Nesbit (@BenNesbitTV) April 1, 2021
The blockade has been in place since August 2020, organized in part by members of the Rainforest Flying Squad, to stop the logging company from building a road into the Fairy Creek area and prevent old-growth logging.
Pacheedaht First Nation’s traditional unceded territory includes the land the Fairy Creek watershed is located on.
The judge, in delivering his decision, said Teal-Jones’ activities are “lawful.” The protesters are “misguided, their conduct is illegal and undermines the rule of law,” he said.
Decision to grant injunction involves details discussions with Pacheedaht First Nation and provincial government. All proposed cutting permits within Fairy Creek watershed were approved by the First Nation, and outside its protected trad’l territory. #bcpoli @CHEK_News
— Mary Griffin (@Mary_Griffin_) April 1, 2021
In the judge’s concluding remarks, he said there is no doubt climate change is real but the effect of old growth forest logging on climate change and biodiversity is not for him to say and not before him in court.
“What is at stake in this court is the maintenance of law and order, and respect for the rule of law” the judge said. “The protestors are free to protest, demonstrate, and attempt to influence the government in any lawful way they may choose. But no one has the right to disobey a court order, no matter how passionately they may believe in their cause.”
READ MORE: Old-growth logging protesters take to Victoria courthouse amid blockade injunction hearing
More to come.
Jasmine Bala
Mary Griffin
