B.C. government officials have denounced some of the actions taken by protesters in recent days in demonstrations supporting Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs in their fight against a natural gas pipeline.
On Thursday, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth issued a stern warning to activists who have blocked entrances to the legislature and plan to shut down other government buildings. He said there will be consequences for those who “cross the line.”
Vancouver lawyer Paul Doroshenko says blockades like this can be protected under the Charter of Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression.
“One of the most highly protected areas of freedom of expression is political expression, and this is pure political expression,” he said.
Blocking transportation infrastructure is defensible until it becomes a public nuisance, according to Doroshenko.
That’s when the courts come in — governments and businesses can apply for injunction orders, which police can then use to clear protesters.
“I think it’s important for everyone to recognize that when you’re being inconvenienced, this is someone else expressing their opinion in a lawful manner that they’re entitled to do,” Doroshenko said.