According to RCMP, it remains ‘committed’ to any role it may support in reconciliation, in the wake of the ongoing Coastal GasLink (CGL) dispute.
Police provided an update Wednesday (Feb 5), saying it has met with Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, Elected Chiefs and Council, CGL and various levels of government.
It noted a team has been assembled in the Morice West Forest Service Area near Houston.
“Much of the proactive engagement the RCMP has undertaken over the past year focused on communication and facilitation,” said Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Strachan.
RCMP are urging all protestors to abide by the injunction and leave the area so they will not be arrested.
“If there are arrests to be made, there are peaceful options that will require minimal use,” said Assistant Commissioner Eric Stubbs.
Stubbs added dialogue is encouraged by police so possible arrests can be made safely and without force.
“The RCMP was able to negotiate an agreement between Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs and Coastal GasLink, which was effective for nearly 12 months, I credit the Hereditary Chiefs and the company making that agreement work.”
Stubbs also said the RCMP’s authority to enforce the injunction has been questioned.
“Orders and Injunctions from the Supreme Court of British Columbia are not optional invitations or suggestions for the parties and police. Instead, they are mandatory directions from the court,” he said.
He remarked that police are not at liberty to choose which law to abide by.
According to the detachment, numerous changes have been made in planning the enforcement action, and cultural awareness was provided to all deployed resources.
Meanwhile, CGL President David Pfeiffer has posted an open letter on the CGL website today (Feb 6).
With files from Lindsay Newman, My Bulkley Lakes Now.