Old-growth activists dump manure at B.C. premier's office, promise more highway disruption
Old-growth logging protesters left a messy surprise on the doorstep of B.C. Premier John Horgan's local constituency office on Wednesday.
The activists dumped approximately four garbage bags of horse manure outside the premier's office in Langford, B.C. at 9 a.m.
At least one of the demonstrators also picked up some of the dung and hurled it at the sign above Horgan's office.
The group Save Old Growth claimed responsibility for the action but the activists left the scene when Mounties arrived shortly after 9 a.m.
Within minutes, local residents had arrived and started shovelling the manure away.
"I live down the street and I'll be putting it right in the garden," neighbour Mark Peterson told CTV News.
Sophia Papp, of Save Old Growth, told CTV News the organization left the manure as a symbol of what it thinks of the Horgan government's priorities when it comes to old-growth logging.
The NDP government has announced deferrals of logging on more than a million hectares of old-growth forest in recent months, but has stopped short of the total ban on logging of old-growth that activists have been demanding.
"They’re still logging old growth," Papp said. "This notion that they’ve deferred areas, well those deferrals are not permanent and actually they’re not deferring areas that they would have logged otherwise.”
Papp said Wednesday's stunt was a precursor to further blockades on highways around the province in the name of stopping old-growth logging.
The group Save Old Growth claimed responsibility for the action but the activists left the scene when Mounties arrived shortly after 9 a.m. (CTV News)
Dozens of people have been arrested since January for blocking roadways around B.C., in some cases super-gluing themselves to the highway.
"As of June 13, blockades will start up again," Papp said. "We’re asking [activists] to take two weeks off work as it’s going to be full-time occupations and blockades."
RCMP INVESTIGATING
West Shore RCMP say they're investigating the incident at Horgan's office as a case of mischief.
Police say they're looking for five people thought to be involved, based on surveillance video taken at the building.
Anyone who recognizes the individuals in the photographs below, or who saw vehicles that seemed to be involved in the protest, is asked to contact West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264.
West Shore RCMP are looking to identify people involved in the protest. (West Shore RCMP)
CTV News reached out to Horgan's office for a response to the manure protest, and received a statement from Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth that read, in part:
“Peaceful protest is part of our democratic society. On the other hand, vandalizing property, preventing people from accessing services, and harassing local businesses is deplorable behaviour."
Farnworth went on to express "heartfelt appreciation" to the local residents and business owners who quickly cleaned up the manure.
"For those who employ these reprehensible tactics, I can assure you that you achieve nothing but increasing the frustration of the local community," the minister said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.