In an effort to join in with a number of other demonstrations planned for locations across Canada, First Nations groups in the Capital Region are planning public demonstrations that are likely to cause traffic headaches Wednesday afternoon.
On Tuesday, Chief Calvin Bruneau of the Papaschase First Nation said members of his community are planning on blocking the Queen Elizabeth 2 Highway near Gateway Park Wednesday afternoon, in support of the Idle No More National Day of Action.
“We’re blocking traffic, and if there’s truckers hauling products in, that’s slowing the economy down a bit – that’s what was called for,” Bruneau said in a phone interview with CTV News Tuesday.
However, on Wednesday, just before the demonstration was set to take place, Bruneau said their plans had changed, and the highway would remain partially open.
“Change of plans, we’re just going to eliminate down to one lane,” Bruneau said Wednesday.
The road block started at 1 p.m. – and the two hour demonstration was mainly peaceful, save for a few passing conflicts with drivers, and when one man arrived to protest the protest.
The protest was organized by the disbanded Papaschase First Nation, which has been involved in a long-standing dispute with Ottawa over land in south Edmonton, which they claim is theirs.
“The government still owes us, and we’re going to still be making noise about that,” Bruneau said.
The group said Bill C-45, the federal omnibus budget bill that sparked the Idle No More movement, will translate to more First Nations encountering problems with land rights.
As for the Papaschase land claim case – it was recently thrown out of the Supreme Court, because they are not recognized federally as a First Nation.
The highway was finally open to traffic again two hours later.
By mid-afternoon, about two hours later, police reported the highway was open again.
As for the legality of such protests, demonstrations are well within the rights of Canadians – but it is illegal to block traffic.
However, police did not make any arrests – CTV News was told officers were on the scene to monitor, and to ensure the safety of drivers and demonstrators.
In addition to the QE2 demonstration, later in the afternoon a smudge ceremony and round dance was planned to take place on St. Albert Trail, where it meets Sturgeon Road.
That demonstration has been slated to start at 4 p.m. – and traffic delays are expected.
St. Albert RCMP said organizers assured them that the demonstration will be peaceful, and it should wrap up by 4:30 p.m.
With files from Bill Fortier
