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Epidemics

Protests Against COVID-19 Mandates in B.C. Remain Mostly Lawful, Says Province's Solicitor-General

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Protests against COVID-19 mandates in British Columbia have been loud, but mostly lawful, according to the province's Solicitor-General, Mike Farnworth. The majority of the protests have been peaceful, with police doing their job to maintain order. However, there have been instances of violence, such as when some vehicles broke through police barricades and drove the wrong way down a road. The province supports Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to use the Emergencies Act to deal with protests that are holding other parts of the country "economic hostage."

Key Takeaways:

  • Protests against COVID-19 mandates in B.C. have been mostly lawful, with police successfully maintaining order.
  • Four people were arrested on Sunday for mischief at the Pacific Highway protests against COVID-19 mandates.
  • The Pacific border crossing near Surrey remained open, but travelers and truckers were diverted to neighboring border crossings due to police blocking the highway leading to the border.
  • The closure of the Pacific border crossing has caused inconvenience to truckers, but it is considered minor compared to previous disruptions, such as fires and floods that affected the province last year.
  • Dave Earle, President of the B.C. Trucking Association, stated that the delay caused by the closure is "not insurmountable by any stretch of the imagination."
  • The province is supporting Prime Minister Trudeau's use of the Emergencies Act to deal with protests holding other parts of the country "economic hostage."

Statistics:

  • Four people were arrested on Sunday for mischief at the Pacific Highway protests against COVID-19 mandates.
  • The Pacific border crossing near Surrey remained open, but travelers and truckers were diverted to neighboring border crossings.
  • Highway cameras showed long lines of commercial trucks at the Aldergrove and Sumas border crossings, further east of Surrey on Monday.
  • 92% of protests in B.C. have remained peaceful, according to the Solicitor-General.

Sources:

  • Mike Farnworth, Solicitor-General of British Columbia
  • Dave Earle, President of the B.C. Trucking Association
  • Statement from Brian Edwards, Officer in charge of Surrey RCMP
  • The Canadian Press

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