Column: Ferry terminal protest divides community

Jan 23, 2020 | Blog, Governance, MLA Column | 8 comments

MLA Adam Olsen says Wet’suwet’en supporters have democratic right to protest

This week I saw my riding grapple with mixed emotions to the protesters who blocked the Swartz Bay ferry terminal for two hours in what they said was an act of solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs who are opposed to the Coastal Gas Link pipeline currently being constructed in their territory.

Living in this vibrant democracy is not easy. We all recognize the constitutionally protected right to protest, but when these acts of democratic engagement impact our daily lives, it can be hard to stand behind those foundational principles. Things are often easier in theory than in practice.

But nothing worth doing ever does come easy. The very freedoms and rights we enjoy today as Canadians have not come easily and protecting them today requires every one of us to remain diligent and engaged.

While I must defend the right for people to peacefully demonstrate it is also important to publicly encourage people to use tactics that advance the interests that they are demonstrating for, tactics that nurture relationships not deepen divisions. Not all peaceful tactics help build constituencies of support and unfortunately shutting down a major ferry terminal is not an action that builds goodwill even though it may be peaceful and nonviolent.

The challenges in front of us requires patience, compassion, and a constant reminder that we are all ultimately on the same side. We all want the best for our families and our province.

As the MLA for Saanich North and the Islands I am acutely aware of the impact delays on the BC Ferries service has on constituents and all islanders. Indeed, issues with BC Ferries are among the most common concerns raised by constituents in our communities, important issues I continue to advocate for. The ferries are not just there for the convenience of travellers.

Islanders rely on ferries as a lifeline for medical appointments, food, jobs… everything. This past week’s protest that blocked the Pat Bay Highway at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, was thankfully peaceful and limited to a few hours, but it would have been respectful if the organizers provided some warning and given people the opportunity to adjust and plan.

But it is important for me to be clear: I support the right of the citizens of Canada and British Columbia to peaceful, nonviolent demonstration. It is a constitutionally protected right and an important part of our democracy.

I want to be just as clear that this and other acts are a direct reflection of governments failing to address the deep division in our society that has evolved over generations. I am committed to my part in mending these relationships. That means navigating the turbulence created by these issues with humility and self-reflection and yet remaining resolute that we cannot afford to have our constitutionally protected rights diminished.

Adam Olsen is MLA Saanich North and the Islands.

This column was originally published in the Peninsula News Review on January 22, 2020.


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8 Comments

  1. Pat Carl

    Like Adam says, this is a tricky issue. We watch in horror as the provincial government of John Horgan continues to talk out of one side of its mouth about UNDRIP and DRIPA, while talking out of the other side of its mouth about “the rule of law,” the white colonial law. Nothing new to First Nations, I’m sure. I too live in an area which is served by multiple ferry systems and understand the frustration of waiting in line when all you want to do is get home. In this case, however, the two hour inconvenience of homeward bound travelers is trumped by the importance of letting this NDP government, which continues to behave just like the provincial Liberals (that big tent mishmash), know that there’s some settlers out here who support the Wet’suwet’en in their struggle to protect their hereditary territory. Good on you Wet’suwet’en, and good on you peaceful, direct action protesters. If not now, when?

    Reply
  2. Bob Hooton

    Firmly on the fence……..again! Being in opposition is easy. You never have to deliver on any position (or lack of one). Tell us, specifically, what is your roadmap to resolution? Who will take responsibility? Who will pay? How long will it take?

    Reply
  3. Jason Koldewijn

    Noticing quite a shift to the precarious position of attempted balance above the sharp pickets of the fence since given the role of temp leader if the BCGreens.
    Adam, I personally find it disappointing and discouraging. This is no time to be timid in the face if adversity. Do we all need to get along? Yes, of course we do.

    Have the Wet’suwet’en not shown incredible patience? Perhaps it’s time for a few privaleged folk to do the same on rare occasion…

    Be brave Adam, be bold, be you.

    Many thanks.
    In gratitude
    Jason

    Reply
  4. Jan Steinman

    The inconvenience of a couple hours delay seems small, compared to having your land taken away, your cultural sites destroyed, and a pipeline shoved down your throat.

    I agree that a warning would have been good. But since protesters have been met with (or threatened with) violence, I can’t really blame them for not announcing their intentions.

    In the mean time, it appears that not all the permits and conditions for the Coastal GasLink pipeline have been acquired properly:

    Contrary to recent statements by Premier John Horgan, Coastal Gaslink (CGL) does not have its final permits to proceed with pipeline construction.

    Reply
  5. Gayle

    Hey Adam – thanks for all that you do.
    To me it is more accurate to describe people as Land Air Water Protectors/Defenders instead if Protestors?

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  6. vincente Oakes

    Nice political comment, and yes you represent both cultures, but its not the way of the Hereditary Chiefs and the first nations. Do you think this pipeline is not interfering with the lives of those whose territories are involved, and maybe the good of our country.

    Reply
    • Jan Steinman

      @vincente, I wonder if you’d feel the same way if the pipeline was being built across your backyard, without even asking you, incidentally digging up your family graveyard in the process?

      Reply
  7. Dan Dickmeyer

    I spent a good portion of my adult and activist life in the Bay Area of California. Blocking bridges (Golden Gate, Bay Bridge, etc) became a common thing after frustration that nothing else was working. That did not always justify it either. We are talking Vietnam War, invasion of Iraq and even less desperate causes. The same debate about correctness of this method always took place with no resolve. Same arguments: what ifs: someone was experiencing a heart attack, a woman was going into labor. etc. I would first like to know 1) who organized it and how was it organized in detail? 2)Were their indigenous people involved ? Often in the Bay area people ended up being arrested or forcibly drug out of the way. I’m glad this did not happen here. But certainly we activists owe it to our beloved friends and neighbours to give notice, consider all other methods such as banners and signs along the roadway, not in the roadway, etc., before taking this dramatic action that creates bad will.
    And yes , of course, by their corporate power and power politicians , we the people are not given the same consideration by any means but let’s not follow their bad example. Let’s be creative.
    I understand that their was some connection between the fact that ferries are using LNG more and more but if that is the problem then blockade the offices of the BC Ferry system not the users of the ferry.

    Reply

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