6 adults and 2 minors arrested at Vancouver Island logging protests
Police enforcing a court injunction against anti-logging protesters in an old-growth forest on Vancouver Island arrested eight more people on Saturday, including two minors.
Mounties have now arrested a total of 222 people in the Fairy Creek watershed since enforcement of the injunction began last month. At least 10 of those people have been arrested multiple times, according to a news release from Lake Cowichan RCMP on Saturday.
Protesters have been camped out in the forest near Port Renfrew on southwest Vancouver Island since last summer, digging in to prevent logging in what they say is the South Island's last remaining unprotected old-growth forest.
Earlier this week, the provincial government approved a two-year deferral of old-growth logging on more than 2,000 hectares of forests in the area. Three First Nations - the Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht, and Pacheedaht - said they plan to defer logging in the region while they develop long-term resource stewardship strategies.
The deferred lands include 884 hectares of old forests in the Fairy Creek watershed, near Port Renfrew, and 1,150 hectares of old growth in the central Walbran valley, near Lake Cowichan.
Protests have continued despite the deferrals, however, with activists demanding a permanent end to old-growth logging in the province.
The B.C. Supreme Court issued its injunction in April, directing protesters not to block logging crews from doing their work in the area.
Of the 222 arrests RCMP have made since enforcement of the injunction began, 180 were for breaching the injunction, 41 were for obstruction and one was for counselling another person to resist arrest, police said.
Mounties allege that the eight people arrested Saturday were breaching the injunction. They were taken to the Lake Cowichan detachment for processing.
"Police are aware that there was a call out for parents to bring their children to the camps supporting the protest activities," RCMP said in their release. "Today's enforcement included the arrest of two minors who were actively engaged in breaching the injunction by being in a tripod and locking themselves in a sleeping dragon. We are asking parents to help prevent their minors from participating in these dangerous and illegal activities."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.