RCMP continue enforcement at logging blockade on Vancouver Island

The RCMP are back in the woods of Southern Vancouver Island, removing old-growth logging protestors from a blockade.

The blockade was established on Aug. 25 in the Walbran Valley, roughly 60 kilometres by road southwest of Lake Cowichan.

On Tuesday morning, RCMP began enforcing an injunction ordered by the B.C. Supreme Court, which prohibits anyone from obstructing the area.

Four of roughly 20 blockaders were arrested, RCMP spokesperson Alex Bérubé said. Three people are facing a charge of breaching a court order and another is facing a charge of criminal mischief.

“The angle is to have everyone leave the injunction without making any arrests, without having any criminal acts being committed, and to be doing that in a peaceful manner,” Bérubé said in an interview with CTV News.

A camp spokesperson said at least one other person was arrested as enforcement continued Wednesday.

Forest protector Soléné Tessier said roughly 60 officers cleared people from camp, though a handful of activists remained, climbing trees and securing themselves to a giant cougar statue that blocks a road.

“They made (the rest of) us walk back to the main road, so we were not having any eyes on our friends getting extracted,” Tessier said. “We want to be able to have eyes on everybody at all times to make sure they’re being treated well.”

Officers are allowing one blockader to watch and record the extractions, Bérubé said.

“We do have to provide a safety area for officers to first operate without interference, but also considering public and police safety,” he said.

Tessier is questioning the use of an “exclusion zone,” which bars civilians from accessing a designated area.

The RCMP were criticized for using the no-go zones during the old-growth protests in the Fairy Creek watershed, which began in 2020. At the time, police were accused of using excessive force and infringing on the freedom of the press.

In 2021, a B.C. Supreme Court judge ended the Fairy Creek injunction, saying the actions of the RCMP put the court’s reputation at risk.

“We can’t allow them to become abusive of their powers. If they’re abusive here, they could be abusive anywhere else,” Tessier said.

“They represent the justice system and that justice system needs to be trusted by the public.”

Forestry company responds

The Walbran injunction was granted to Tsawak-qin Forestry on Sept. 12. The company is co-owned by Western Forest Products and the Huu-ay-aht First Nations.

“We had hoped the blockaders would comply with the court’s order and leave peacefully. The blockaders were asked on multiple occasions to leave the blockade, including by the Pacheedaht First Nation, but refused to do so,” the company said in a statement.

Pacheedaht has previously denounced the blockade on its territory, saying it’s obstructing approved forestry activities.

Tsawak-qin Forestry said it’s committed to working with First Nations, the province, and local governments to manage the land responsibly.

“We look forward to resuming our operations in a timely manner so that members of the community may return to work,” the company said.

The RCMP did not immediately enforce the injunction, as Bérubé said it needed time to coordinate resources and consult with Tsawak-qin.

Tessier said she and her fellow activists don’t plan on leaving any time soon.

“We reclaimed our camp yesterday. The fight continues. We still have a lot of hope,” she said.