8 arrests, 1 for alleged assault on police officer at anti-logging blockades on Vancouver Island
Police say they arrested eight more people at anti-logging blockades on southern Vancouver Island Saturday, including one person they allege assaulted a police officer.
The arrests at an encampment in the Fairy Creek watershed near Port Renfrew follow two other arrests that happened on Friday.
In total, there have now been 254 arrests in the area since police began enforcing a court injunction prohibiting interference with logging operations in the old-growth forests near Fairy Creek.
At least 10 of those arrested in the area have been arrested more than once, according to a news release from RCMP. Of the 254 arrests, 206 have been for breaching the injunction, 42 for obstruction, four for mischief, one for counselling to resist arrest and one for assaulting a police officer.
Two of those arrested Saturday were under age 18, police said. They did not specify what charges they would be recommending against the minors.
In a post on their Facebook page, the demonstrators described the day's events from their perspective, accusing police of lies and abuse. The protesters say the two minors were released without any charges.
Protesters have been camped out in the Fairy Creek watershed since last summer in defense of what they describe as the last unprotected old-growth forest on southern Vancouver Island.
Demonstrations and blockades have continued in the region even after the provincial government granted a request from the Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht, and Pacheedaht First Nations to postpone old-growth logging on more than 2,000 hectares of land in the Fairy Creek and central Walbran areas while the nations develop long-term resource stewardship plans.
The protesters are demanding an end to all logging in old-growth forests on southern Vancouver Island.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING 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.
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.
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.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
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.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
Closing arguments heard in trial for Sask. dad accused of abducting daughter
Closing arguments were heard Thursday morning in the case of Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter in 2021 to keep her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.