RCMP have set up what they’re calling an “access control checkpoint” on a road accessing Wet’suwet’en territory.
Police have set up the checkpoint at the 27 kilometre mark of the Morice West Forest Service Road in what they say is a move to protect the safety of everyone involved in the dispute over the Coastal GasLink pipeline project.
The force says Commanding Officer, Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Stratchan, has been involved in a series of meetings and planned meetings with Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, Elected Councils, and other stakeholders.
While RCMP are not commenting on the details of the meetings, the force says they have provided a chance to outline concerns and that they are pleased with the discussions so far.
Mounties have released the following procedures for the checkpoint:
- Vehicles attempting to enter the Morice Forest Service area at the 27KM mark will be stopped and occupants will be provided a copy of the injunction.
- They will be informed of the checkpoint’s purpose and advised of the hazards, including roadway conditions.
- Occupants requesting entry will be required to state their purpose, and provide identification. Permission to enter must come from the RCMP’s Operations Commander or delegate. Persons permitted would generally include:
- All Hereditary and Elected Chiefs;
- Elected and other Government Officials;
- Journalists with accreditation from recognised media outlets;
- Persons providing food, medicine or other supplies or services required for the well-being and safety of persons behind the blockades;
- Other persons as approved by the RCMP Operations Commander or delegate.
- For purposes of safety, all persons entering must indicate their specific destination, estimated time of return and indicate their understanding of the hazards present. Vehicles and persons entering will be logged to ensure awareness of who has entered and safely exited. All other vehicles will be turned away.
- All occupants of vehicles exiting the area who were not already spoken to on their way in will be briefly detained per paragraph 10 of the BC Supreme Court injunction, asked for identification, and provided a copy of the court order before they are permitted to go on their way.
Just over a year ago, heavily armed RCMP officers enforced a court injunction along the road and arrested 14 people as they removed a blockade to allow construction of a gas pipeline. The action took place shortly after an exclusion zone was set up restricting access to the area.
Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs evicted Coastal GasLink workers from their territory earlier this month. The eviction came after a December 31 ruling by the B.C. Supreme Court granting Coastal GasLink an Interlocutory injunction against members of the Wet’suwet’en and others opposed to the project through the territory.
The RCMP says it hopes its meetings will result in a “safe and peaceful outcome”.
