Statement on RCMP Actions on Wet'suwet'en Territory

RCMP intimidation, threats, and arrests of land defenders and journalists on Wet'suwet'en Territory are unconscionable and must stop immediately. I am calling on the RCMP to stand down immediately and on the Prime Minister to de-escalate the situation and provide proper civilian oversight of the RCMP.

On November 19, the RCMP launched an operation to dismantle a protest camp on Wet'suwet'en Territory west of Prince George, British Columbia. Militarized police brandishing assault rifles broke through a door at the camp and arrested land defenders, including elders, and two journalists on site to document the confrontation. This past weekend, RCMP were also captured on video walking through a Wet'suwet'en community with their fingers on the triggers of military assault style weapons, threatening residents in a clear act of intimidation.

The RCMP’s actions go far beyond what is acceptable.

Wet'suwet'en governance issues do not warrant militarized police action directed against the Wet'suwet'en people and the arrest of journalists is an act of intimidation and a threat to democracy that we call out when it happens elsewhere. We must not allow it to happen in Canada.

In the last parliament, the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security released a report, “Systemic Racism in Policing in Canada” that included recommendations calling for a legislative overhaul of the RCMP Act, including better and more robust civilian oversight, a better review and complaints process, and the transition away from a para-military force.

Reconciliation is not a product of force. It cannot be achieved through para-military operations and intimidation. If the Prime Minister wants reconciliation, he must take responsibility for the RCMP, he must honour and respect Indigenous rights, and he must protect the freedom of the press.