Divided by a snowy city street and conflicting views, protesters on both sides of the pipeline debate in B.C. directed their ire at a shared target on Wednesday: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. As Trudeau arrived in Kamloops, B.C., for a campaign-style visit and town hall, some protesters donned yellow vests and carried signs that read "Carbon Tax Cash Grab" and "Trudeau for Treason," expressing concern that a failure to follow through with planned pipeline projects would cost Canadians their jobs. Others worried that Trudeau was shirking his promises to protect the environment and reconcile with Indigenous groups. “We are here to support our land, our resources, our water,” Edna Terbasket, an anti-pipeline protester and member of the Syilx/Okanagan First Nation, told CTV News. “We can’t drink the oil.” In a speech to supporters, Trudeau lauded the pipeline project that has been at the heart of escalating standoffs and blockades in the province: the Coastal GasLink pipeline that will transport natural gas across B.C.’s north to a $40-billion coastal terminal in Kitimat operated by LNG Canada. Later, at a town hall event in Kamloops, Trudeau was faced with mostly positive questions from the crowd. But a few people expressed their outrage. When responding to a question about the environment, Trudeau was interrupted by William George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. George has long been an advocate for the environment and Indigenous rights. Earlier this week, the RCMP enforced a court-ordered injunction on a group of protesters from the Wet’suwet’en First Nation, who tried to stop pipeline workers from accessing a forest service road near Houston, B.C. The pipeline company says it has signed agreements with elected First Nations leaders across the pipeline’s route, but some of the hereditary and non-elected leaders of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation say that those contracts are invalid because they have not given their consent. The RCMP arrested 14 people on Monday, sparking solidarity protests across Canada. Another woman at the meeting demanded that Trudeau apologize for the recent treatment of the Indigenous communities in northern B.C. Trudeau said he “understands their anger and frustration” and acknowledged that the relationship with Indigenous people has been broken but he also said there has been real progress recently. Molly Wickham, who was arrested earlier this week, described the experience as “traumatic.” “They didn’t care what happened,” she said. “They didn’t care who it was.” Despite the support from protesters, the hereditary chiefs announced Wednesday that they will comply with the injunction to avoid further violence. Trudeau confirmed at the town hall that the blockade had been removed Wednesday afternoon. Trudeau's visit to Kamloops marks the start of an outreach tour that will expand across the country ahead of the federal election. With files from The Canadian Press<doc-sep>Lars Hagberg/CP Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a Liberal fundraising event at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ont. on Dec.19, 2018. OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged Wednesday that the arrest of 14 people at an anti-pipeline checkpoint in northern B.C. is "not an ideal situation" to be in. Trudeau made the comment during an interview on CBC Radio's "Daybreak Kamloops" — a day after protesters across the country rallied in support of a Wet'suwet'en First Nation blockade along the route of Coastal GasLink's planned natural-gas pipeline. Watch: P rotests erupt across Canada in support of anti-pipeline blockade A hundred years ago, he explained, governments of the day would have skipped consultations altogether and build major projects wherever they pleased. "That's not how we do things anymore and that's now how we should do things," Trudeau said. Fourteen people were arrested Monday at the Gidimt'en camp checkpoint along a remote road southwest of Houston, B.C., pinching off construction crews' access to the area. The camp was set up late last year after the B.C. Supreme Court granted a temporary injunction in December to clear the Unist'ot'en camp, which has been in place since 2010 to reassert Aboriginal title to oppose pipeline development. RCMP moved into the area to enforce the court injunction. Protesters were arrested for allegedly violating its terms. One elder was among those arrested, and eventually released. Trudeau told "Daybreak Kamloops" host Shelley Joyce that he has no plans to visit the area, suggesting his appearance could inflame tensions. "One of the things that is really important is to try to reduce the temperature a little bit and sometimes engaging in that way is actually raising the political attention and the stakes." Coastal GasLink president says camp activities can continue The prime minister avoided discussion of the anti-pipeline blockade and arrests Tuesday at a forum between government and Indigenous leaders from self-governing First Nations to discuss progress on modern treaties. His remarks were delayed after protesters rallying in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en's anti-pipeline blockade occupied the government building in Ottawa where the event was scheduled to held. Venues were switched last minute to another government building near Parliament Hill. While those arrested at Gidimt'en camp were scheduled to appear in a Prince George courtroom Tuesday, Coastal GasLink President Rick Gateman issued a statement acknowledging their right to "peacefully" express their views. Coastal GasLink, a subsidiary of TransCanada PipeLines Ltd., has touted 100 per cent support from elected First Nations bands along the pipeline route leading to Kitimat. Hereditary chiefs from five Wet'suwet'en clans are leading the opposition against the project. Despite the RCMP being brought in to enforce the injunction, Gateman said the Gidimt'en camp site can continue with its activities. "Our pipeline right of way isn't near the camp, and does not overlap or directly affect it," he said. The prime minister is in B.C. to appear at Liberal fundraising event in Kamloops and to host a public town hall in the city Wednesday evening. He is scheduled to meet with First Nations chiefs in between events.<doc-sep>Share this Story: 'YOU'RE A LIAR': Indigenous people voice anger at Trudeau town hall 'YOU'RE A LIAR': Indigenous people voice anger at Trudeau town hall Article content KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Indigenous people voiced their anger and frustration with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday at a chaotic town hall in Kamloops, B.C., loudly interrupting him to condemn the arrests of protesters at a pipeline blockade. While Trudeau was answering a question on accountability for the oil and gas industry, a man who identified himself as Will George stood up and began to yell that the prime minister had lied about wanting reconciliation with First Nations. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or 'YOU'RE A LIAR': Indigenous people voice anger at Trudeau town hall Back to video “You’re getting people arrested,” George said. “You’re a liar and a weak leader. What do you tell your children?” Trudeau calmly asked George, several times, to sit down and allow him to finish answering the question. After several minutes, the man apologized and sat down, to applause from the crowd. RCMP arrested 14 people Monday at a pipeline blockade in northwestern B.C., sparking protests across the country. Demonstrators on both sides of the pipeline debate appeared at Trudeau’s events in Kamloops on Wednesday. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Trudeau fielded a variety of questions at the town hall, but his fiery exchanges with Indigenous people dominated the event. When he called on a First Nations woman in the crowd, she asked him what he would do to stop oppressing her people. “When are you going to give us our rights back?” she asked, to cheers and applause. The prime minister replied that Canada has a “long and terrible history” with regards to First Nations, but his government is working toward reconciliation and met with Indigenous leaders to discuss self-governance on Tuesday. “It will take time to improve (the relationship), but we are making significant progress,” he said. “You are afraid to lose everything you benefit from our oppression and our suffering. You are afraid to lose your comfort,” the woman yelled. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “No, I’m not,” Trudeau replied. “I am ready to walk in partnership with you and building the future and that is what we’ve been doing … I understand the anger and the passion that you have about protecting your land.” After a lengthy exchange in which the woman continued to press him on how he allowed the arrests to happen, Trudeau said it was possible the woman was “not listening” to him and he tried to move on. Members of the crowd continued to occasionally yell, with one crying out, “Shame on you!” Later, a man who identified himself as Arnie Jack from the Shuswap Nation said Canada does not have a deed to its territory and has no right to build the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion through its lands. Jack described the arrests in northern B.C. as a “national disgrace.” Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “Do you have a deed to Shuswap territory? Have you brought one here tonight to impose your jurisdiction on us?” Jack asked. “No, I did not,” Trudeau said, adding that having a “deed” is an old way of doing things and instead he wants to move forward in partnership with Indigenous Peoples. Several audience members raised concerns about climate change, including a 65-year-old woman concerned about her grandson’s future. She said she had spoken with environmentalist David Suzuki, who was critical of the Liberal government’s handling of the climate. “There is no question we’re in a time of difficult change,” Trudeau replied, but he added that his government is moving forward with a price on carbon and there are tremendous causes for optimism, and that’s where he disagrees with Suzuki. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “I’m just a little more optimistic than he is,” Trudeau said. Speaking to supporters at an earlier Kamloops event, Trudeau touted the benefits of the $40-billion liquefied natural gas project at the centre of the impasse with First Nations. In a campaign-style speech at the Liberal fundraiser, Trudeau did not address Monday’s arrests at a protest against construction of a natural gas pipeline by Coastal GasLink, which is a key part of the LNG Canada project. He instead heralded the massive project as one of his government’s top achievements. “We moved forward on the LNG Canada project, which is the largest private sector investment in Canada’s history, $40 billion, which is going to produce Canadian LNG that will supplant coal in Asia as a power source and do much for the environment,” he said. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The RCMP enforced a B.C. Supreme Court injunction on Monday that ordered the removal of any obstructions to the pipeline project in and around the Morice River Bridge on a remote forest service road southwest of Houston. The pipeline company says it has signed agreements with all First Nations along the route but demonstrators say Wet’suwet’en house chiefs, who are hereditary rather than elected, have not given their consent. Trudeau also told Radio NL that “we’re going to have to do a better job” of dealing with First Nations rights and title. “There’s still work to be done right across the country in terms of having the opportunity for Indigenous communities to strengthen their governance models,” he said. Dozens of protesters on both sides of the debate gathered outside the hotel where the fundraiser was held. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<doc-sep>Send this page to someone via email “I don’t want to see your crocodile tears!” That was one of a number of comments with which Indigenous protesters confronted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a town hall at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops, B.C. on Tuesday night. WATCH: We can’t decide ‘right solution’ for First Nations people, Trudeau says 2:14 We can’t decide ‘right solution’ for First Nations people: Trudeau We can’t decide ‘right solution’ for First Nations people: Trudeau – Jan 10, 2019 The town hall came in the same week that 14 people were arrested in the province’s northwest as they protested the construction of a natural gas pipeline by Coastal GasLink that’s a key piece of infrastructure for the LNG Canada project. Story continues below advertisement The arrests came Monday, on the same day that Mounties enforced a B.C. Supreme Court injunction requiring that any obstructions to the project be removed near a bridge on a forest service road that runs south of Houston. Further developments came Wednesday, as hereditary chiefs with the Wet’suwet’en people said they would open a checkpoint gate they had erected at what’s known as the Unist’ot’en Camp, a longstanding structure aimed at preventing the pipeline’s construction. WATCH: Trudeau visits B.C. amid angry pipeline protests 2:36 Trudeau visits B.C. amid angry pipeline protests Trudeau visits B.C. amid angry pipeline protests – Jan 9, 2019 Trudeau largely seemed to address a friendly audience — questions included, “What’s your favourite part of your day?” — before frustrations over pipelines, and the federal government’s approach to climate change and First Nations, started to boil over. First to assail Trudeau was Will George, a member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Story continues below advertisement Some tense moments as Tsleil-Waututh member Will George interrupts @JustinTrudeau’s answer to another crowd member. The two men engaged in a brief back and forth, before George—who has helped lead the resistance against the #TransMountain pipeline—returned to his seat. @GlobalBC pic.twitter.com/QL9nqrw5AT — Sarah MacDonald (@smacdonald__) January 10, 2019 “You lied about being a climate leader. You don’t build pipelines by being a climate leader,” George said. “You want truth and reconciliation with First Nations and you get our people arrested.” Trudeau, who was answering a question about oil and gas emissions, asked George to “please respect” an audience member’s ability to ask a question. But George continued. READ MORE: Justin Trudeau holds town hall in Kamloops, B.C. amid dueling protests “You’re a liar and a weak leader. What do you tell your children? Pipelines do not make climate leaders,” he said. “I apologize to you, I’m not going to listen to your lies anymore, you’re a weak leader and a liar and you’re not welcome here.” Trudeau later faced a question from a woman named Tilly, who identified herself as a member of the Stl’atl’imx Nation. “What are you going to do to stop oppressing and holding our people under your colonization,” she asked. “When are you going to give us our rights back, when are you going to start giving a s*** about who we are as people, and not just seeing us for our land?” Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "When are you going to give us our rights back, when are you going to start giving a s*** about who we are as people, and not just seeing us for our land?" Story continues below advertisement Trudeau responded that Canada has a “long and failed history in regards to Indigenous people,” saying it has “consistently failed as a country to live up to the spirit and intent of the treaties.” “We have not treated Indigenous peoples as partners and stewards of this land.” Trudeau said the federal government is focusing mainly on two areas when it comes to Indigenous peoples: services and relationships. WATCH: Trudeau reacts to LNG protest arrests as police probe death threats 3:42 Trudeau reacts to LNG protest arrests as police probe death threats Trudeau reacts to LNG protest arrests as police probe death threats – Jan 9, 2019 He started talking about how “too many Indigenous communities are existing under boil water advisories” when Tilly interjected. “You are afraid to lose your comfort,” she said. “No I’m not, Tilly,” Trudeau responded. Story continues below advertisement “I am ready to work in partnership with you and that is what we have been doing with you over the last three years.” READ MORE: Anti-pipeline protesters descend on Ottawa, delay Trudeau appearance The pair continued to exchange words, with Tilly saying, “I don’t want to see your crocodile tears, I don’t want to see you apologize.” She said she wanted “amends,” that she demanded it “on behalf of my people.” Another protester yelled out, “be a man! Be a man!” Trudeau then said, “we need to be respectful of everyone who came out tonight to engage in this conversation.” Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: Trudeau then said, "we need to be respectful of everyone who came out tonight to engage in this conversation." He went on to say that no one checked with Indigenous people when Canada’s railroads were laid down. “Nobody checked with the people who had lived here for millennia, whether or not we could throw a railroad down in a given place,” Trudeau said. “That is not how we will continue to do things.” With files from The Canadian Press<doc-sep>
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced a combative crowd in Kamloops, B.C., Wednesday night at a public town hall meeting dominated by questions about reconciliation with Indigenous communities and the future of several pipeline projects. The meeting, staged in a packed university gymnasium, came amid a tense standoff between RCMP and First Nations in northern B.C., which has sparked protests across Canada. Since Monday the Mounties have been enforcing a court injunction granting workers with the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline project access to a road and bridge from which they had been blocked by opponents of the project. On Monday, the RCMP entered the first of two blockades and arrested 14 people. Hours before Trudeau's townhall meeting, Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs and RCMP reached a tentative agreement allowing workers access to the pipeline. Audience members react as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a town hall Q&A. (Kim Anderson/Canadian Press) Arnie Jack from the Shuswap nation in the B.C. Interior confronted Trudeau about RCMP actions in northern B.C., saying that without the consent of the people, the Prime Minister would have to "go through us first." "You can stand up all the elected chiefs that you want and say that you have consent, but you do not have consent from the people on the ground, and you said yourself that these major projects would not be approved without community consent," Jack said. "What you did to the Unist'ot'en [camp], that's a national disgrace." Trudeau responded by saying there are a broad range of Indigenous perspectives regarding the project. "We are going to have to work together," he said amid heckles from the crowd. "I understand your frustration." Trudeau addressed the issue again in a later question, saying the process of reconciliation should not be rushed. "We've gone from a place where Indigenous people were not listened to, were not consulted, were not included, and we are doing a better job of it," he said. "If we choose to determine what the right solution is for Indigenous peoples, we're — however well-meaning we may be — compounding the mistake that has gone on forever." Indigenous demonstrators stood in support of the Wet'suwet'en people's pipeline blockades. (Glen Kugelstadt/CBC) Protestors, jokes The meeting, attended by over 1,000 people, is part of Trudeau's annual tour of town halls around the country during January, which he describes as an important exercise in democracy. Trudeau came face-to-face with demonstrators even before the packed event. Earlier on Wednesday he was met by more than 100 anti- and pro-pipeline demonstrators as he arrived at a Liberal party fundraising luncheon. One of the most contested topics in Kamloops remains the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, with some adamantly supporting the pipeline because of the jobs it could create, and others opposing it for environmental reasons. The town hall meeting also had lighter moments —Trudeau was grilled on his problem-plagued India trip in 2018 — to which he replied, "it was a trip that happened." He was also asked about his favourite part of being Prime Minister, his favourite part of the day, and at one point, was offered a beer if he would "push the U.S. President off a cliff." Trudeau's next scheduled town hall meeting is in Regina, Sask.