RCMP clearing new logging protest encampment near Fairy Creek, B.C.
Police say they arrested five people as they worked to clear a protest camp on Vancouver Island that's blocking access to a forestry operation in the Fairy Creek Watershed area Wednesday.
The camp, which protesters have called Sassin Camp, is located near the intersection of Haddon Main and Carrmanah Mainline forest service roads near Lake Cowichan, where a previous blockade had been created, according to RCMP.
Police said four of the five people arrested would be held in custody overnight before attending bail hearings on Thursday. Two of the people being held are repeat offenders, police said, adding that the other two are being held because they refused to identify themselves to officers.
Representatives of three local First Nations who are impacted by the blockade have been attempting to remove the group peacefully since the beginning of June.
On June 23, leaders from the Ditidaht, Huu-ay-aht and Pacheedaht First Nations asked the group to leave and dismantle the camp, which is located on Ditidaht Traditional Territory.
The coalition says that the request for protesters to leave comes from both the elected and hereditary chiefs of the Ditidaht First Nation, with support from the elected and hereditary leaders of the Huu-ay-aht and Pacheedaht First Nations.
On Tuesday, the Sassin Camp group said it plans to remain at the encampment and is "preparing for an assault" by RCMP.
Protesters say they were invited to the territory by "Ditidaht elders and community members," though the nation's leadership maintains they are not welcome.
"The governing structure of Ditidaht consists of the heredity chief and band council, and neither one of them invited the group," said Robert J. Dennis Sr., elected Chief Councillor for Huu-ay-aht First Nations on Thursday.
Sassin Camp says it's unaffiliated with other protest groups, including Save Old Growth and the Rainforest Flying Squad.
RCMP began sending in officers at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday to "clear the road of obstructions and arrest anyone in violation of the injunction" that was granted to Teal-Cedar Products Ltd. by the B.C. courts to continue its logging operation in the area.
"Officers worked on dismantling the structures of the blockade after taking individuals into police custody," the RCMP said in a news release Wednesday evening.
"There was a large amount of garbage and debris located within the encampment, and some flammable (gasoline) or dangerous materials that required proper and safe disposal," Mounties added. "The Ministry of Forests has been engaged and is making arrangements to remove the piles of debris tomorrow."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.