A Canadian government Member of Parliament’s bill to make it an offence to interfere with “critical infrastructures” could be used to punish environmental protesters, according to lawyers contacted by journalist Justin Ling.
In an article published Friday (December 5) in the National Post newspaper Ling quotes Toronto lawyer Ed Prutschi’s first reaction to the bill as: “Is this about pipeline protection?”
Supported by Canada’s justice minister, Bill C-639 was tabled by Conservative MP Wai Young last Wednesday.
LIng points out Young says she introduced the bill “at the behest of industry, notably the Canadian Electricity Association and railway companies who’ve recently had a problem with thieves stealing rail spikes.”
In the House of Commons Question Period on Monday, when questioned about the bill, Justice Minister Peter MacKay suggested it was constitutional.
What concerns some is the wide-ranging implications of the article which would punish anyone who “obstructs, interrupts or interferes with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of any part of a critical infrastructure.”
In the article lawyer Ed Prutuschi points out the proposed legislation doesn’t require damage to be done for a conviction, one would just need to be in the way of a critical infrastructure. He also said the bill could be applied to the current protests on Burnaby Mountain blocking Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
Journalist Justin Ling in the same article points out Wai Young’s Vancouver South electoral riding is adjacent to the mountain.
More information:
National Post/ Justin Ling – Conservative MP’s private member’s bill could be used against pipeline protesters, critics say – here
Bill C-639 (text and status) – An Act to amend the Criminal Code (protection of critical infrastructures) – here
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.