Deer Hunter
01-11-2013, 01:44 PM
http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/sturgeon+lake+first+nation+plans+blockade+of+highw ay+43/6442786676/story.html
EDMONTON – Police advised the public that a peaceful Idle No More demonstration was scheduled to take place downtown Edmonton between 11 am and 1 pm Friday.
Officers were asking drivers in the area to take alternate routes and avoid roads in and around Churchill Square and Canada Place to avoid any traffic delays.
EPS Traffic Section officers was on hand to direct traffic and maintain a safe environment for drivers and pedestrians.
Northwest of Edmonton, Valleyview RCMP were warning motorists that members of the Sturgeon Lake First Nation were holding a blockade in front of the Sturgeon Lake Band Hall Western Cree First Nations offices from 11 am to 12 pm on Friday.
Approximately 70 people took part in the rally. Sturgeon Lake residents participated, and there were banners and flags representing Sucker Creek and Horse Lake First Nations as well.
The offices are located between Range Road 230 and Township Road 703A, about 8 kilometres west of Valleyview.
RCMP members said the demonstrators would then walk west along Highway 43. While the participants planned to use the shoulder of the Highway as they marched to the Community Centre, RCMP were advising motorists to plan ahead and expect delays between 11 am and 12 pm.
RCMP said the walk from the First Nations offices and the Community Centre would require at least an hour, depending on the route the demonstrators take.
At approximately 12:15 pm Friday, Valleyview RCMP advised traffic was moving in both directions on Highway 43. Officers reminded motorists that demonstrators would still be marking on the shoulder of the road.
RCMP say traffic was halted in both directions for approximately one hour in total but a few vehicles were permitted through about 30 minutes into the protest.
Traffic was backed up 3 kilometres to the west and about 2 kilometres to the east of the Band Office. Westbound traffic cleared within 5 minutes of the Highway being cleared by protesters while eastbound traffic took about 20 to 25 minutes to clear.
Valleyview RCMP added it respects and protects the right to peaceful demonstrations as guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The RCMP presence during the blockade was to keep the peace and ensure traffic safety and public safety.
A similar Idle No More rally blocked Highway 63 just north of Fort McMurray on Thursday.
Participants say the purpose of the blockades is to bring attention to the meeting between Prime Minister Harper, Minister Duncan and First Nation leaders. The group feels the meeting lacks the crown representative, the Governor General.
The movement started in opposition to the Federal government’s omnibus Bill C-45, which included changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act.
“All Canadians need to understand that this is coming to a river or lake near you thanks to Bill C-45. Out of 32,000 lakes, now only 97 lakes are protected across Canada. And the number of protected rivers has plummeted to just 62 rivers from 2.5 million. How is this even allowed in a democracy?” stated Les Cardinal, organizer and member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.
Read it on Global News: Global Edmonton | Several Alberta Idle No More demonstrations impact traffic
EDMONTON – Police advised the public that a peaceful Idle No More demonstration was scheduled to take place downtown Edmonton between 11 am and 1 pm Friday.
Officers were asking drivers in the area to take alternate routes and avoid roads in and around Churchill Square and Canada Place to avoid any traffic delays.
EPS Traffic Section officers was on hand to direct traffic and maintain a safe environment for drivers and pedestrians.
Northwest of Edmonton, Valleyview RCMP were warning motorists that members of the Sturgeon Lake First Nation were holding a blockade in front of the Sturgeon Lake Band Hall Western Cree First Nations offices from 11 am to 12 pm on Friday.
Approximately 70 people took part in the rally. Sturgeon Lake residents participated, and there were banners and flags representing Sucker Creek and Horse Lake First Nations as well.
The offices are located between Range Road 230 and Township Road 703A, about 8 kilometres west of Valleyview.
RCMP members said the demonstrators would then walk west along Highway 43. While the participants planned to use the shoulder of the Highway as they marched to the Community Centre, RCMP were advising motorists to plan ahead and expect delays between 11 am and 12 pm.
RCMP said the walk from the First Nations offices and the Community Centre would require at least an hour, depending on the route the demonstrators take.
At approximately 12:15 pm Friday, Valleyview RCMP advised traffic was moving in both directions on Highway 43. Officers reminded motorists that demonstrators would still be marking on the shoulder of the road.
RCMP say traffic was halted in both directions for approximately one hour in total but a few vehicles were permitted through about 30 minutes into the protest.
Traffic was backed up 3 kilometres to the west and about 2 kilometres to the east of the Band Office. Westbound traffic cleared within 5 minutes of the Highway being cleared by protesters while eastbound traffic took about 20 to 25 minutes to clear.
Valleyview RCMP added it respects and protects the right to peaceful demonstrations as guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The RCMP presence during the blockade was to keep the peace and ensure traffic safety and public safety.
A similar Idle No More rally blocked Highway 63 just north of Fort McMurray on Thursday.
Participants say the purpose of the blockades is to bring attention to the meeting between Prime Minister Harper, Minister Duncan and First Nation leaders. The group feels the meeting lacks the crown representative, the Governor General.
The movement started in opposition to the Federal government’s omnibus Bill C-45, which included changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act.
“All Canadians need to understand that this is coming to a river or lake near you thanks to Bill C-45. Out of 32,000 lakes, now only 97 lakes are protected across Canada. And the number of protected rivers has plummeted to just 62 rivers from 2.5 million. How is this even allowed in a democracy?” stated Les Cardinal, organizer and member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.
Read it on Global News: Global Edmonton | Several Alberta Idle No More demonstrations impact traffic