Five people were arrested last night after they refused to leave the B.C. legislature following a meeting inside the building with Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister Scott Fraser.
On Wednesday, Fraser responded to a request for a meeting from Indigenous youth who have been outside on the steps of the legislature. The group is supporting Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs who are opposed to the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline project in northern B.C.
A delegation was invited to meet inside the legislature on condition that they would leave the building following the meeting, according to his ministry. They agreed to this condition, said his office.
Green MLA Adam Olsen, representing Saanich North and the Islands, attended the meeting as a witness.
The discussion lasted an hour and a half, was respectful, and occurred in good faith, said the minister’s office.
After the minister and Olsen left, the individuals “reneged on their agreement and made it clear that they would not leave the building as agreed,” said a statement from the minister’s office.
“We are disappointed they have not honoured their commitment, and regretfully, this became a security matter that was handled by the legislature,” said the statement.
Organizers of the ongoing demonstrations outside the legislature could not be immediately reached for comment this morning. A group of people has been camping on the lawn for more than a week.
On Wednesday night, protesters called for others to surround the legislature building, police said in a statement, and “actively obstructed officers.”
With the large crowd, it took several hours for officers to be able safely transport the protesters to police headquarters, police said.
“Officers who were responding to the scene were surrounded by over 100 protesters and were unable to respond to emergency calls for service,” the statement said.
Victoria police say there were no injuries.
The five people who were arrested were transported to jail cells for processing and released on conditions not to attend the legislature grounds, including Confederation Park, said police.
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