Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. premier criticizes COVID-19 protesters

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Mar, 2022 08:10 PM
  • B.C. premier criticizes COVID-19 protesters

VICTORIA - A protest planned for around the British Columbia legislature over COVID-19 mandates has drawn sharp criticism from the province's premier.

Video posted on social media says a convoy of vehicles is on the way from Ottawa to Victoria where people are preparing to stay for months to conduct multiple rolling protests.

The video said some of the protesters could be expected in Victoria as early as Monday.

In response, Premier John Horgan said those involved need to "get a hobby" and "give their head a shake."

"Find a better way to take your energies (out) and put it to positive outcomes, that's my recommendation," he said while addressing reporters on Friday. "I'm hopeful that some of the people planning to come take that to heart and do the right thing."

B.C. lifted its mask mandate on Friday and plans to stop its COVID-19 vaccine passport program in April, although the province's top doctor said the measures could be reinstated if there is a surge in cases.

Horgan said Victoria police have learned lessons from how Ottawa's police force handled the protest and that "asking nicely" doesn't work.

Many downtown Ottawa businesses and roads were shut down or impacted by the three-week protest by a convoy of big-rig trucks and other vehicles.

Ottawa's police chief resigned amid intense criticism over how his force handled the downtown occupation, while the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act only to revoke it again when the convoy ended in a police crackdown and arrests.

"They were not met with an appropriate response," said Horgan. "I know that law enforcement in Victoria ... will encourage people to make their point and disperse. That's the normal course of action in civil disobedience.

He added that the protesters' freedom "is not greater than anyone else's."

Victoria police Chief Del Manak said in a video statement that officers have heard concerns from residents about the impact of protests and "any dangerous acts" will be met with de-escalation and enforcement.

"As (Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth) has stated, legal protests in Canada are part of our free and democratic society. Occupations are not," he said.

Horgan said citizens have a right to protest but they cannot blockade an area when they are upset.

MORE National ARTICLES

Surrey RCMP need help locating missing male Jimsher Sidhu

Surrey RCMP need help locating missing male Jimsher Sidhu
Jimsher Sidhu is described as a 25 year old South Asian male, 6’3” tall, 250 lbs.  He has short  black hair and brown eyes. There is no clothing description at this time. 

Surrey RCMP need help locating missing male Jimsher Sidhu

Bank of Canada hikes key interest rate to 0.5 percent

Bank of Canada hikes key interest rate to 0.5 percent
The central bank increased its key rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 0.5 per cent on Wednesday in a bid to help fight inflation which is at its highest level since 1991.

Bank of Canada hikes key interest rate to 0.5 percent

Security guard killed at UBC Okanagan identified as Harmandeep Kaur

Security guard killed at UBC Okanagan identified as Harmandeep Kaur
Harmandeep Kaur was an International student and had just received her Permanent Residency card 3 weeks ago. She wanted to pursue a career as a paramedic. 

Security guard killed at UBC Okanagan identified as Harmandeep Kaur

WATCH: Billionaire Businessman Bob Gaglardi donates $10M to Thompson Rivers University

WATCH: Billionaire Businessman Bob Gaglardi donates $10M to Thompson Rivers University
Gaglardi is the name behind Northland Properties, a global company under whose flagship are some of the most well known hotel chains, restaurants, and sports bars.    

WATCH: Billionaire Businessman Bob Gaglardi donates $10M to Thompson Rivers University

Russian oligarchs in Canada targeted: Freeland

Russian oligarchs in Canada targeted: Freeland
Freeland said any future pain would be far worse for European countries, which are heavily dependent on Russian oil and gas and have deeper economic ties with Russia than Canada. Freeland did not single out any specific Russian business interests.

Russian oligarchs in Canada targeted: Freeland

Suspect in poppy donation box theft arrested, faces multiple charges

Suspect in poppy donation box theft arrested, faces multiple charges
Last November, just days before Remembrance Day, three poppy donation boxes were stolen in North Burnaby. Burnaby RCMP released video and photos of the suspect. Police identified a suspect quite quickly and a warrant was issued for a 57-year-old man with no known fixed address.

Suspect in poppy donation box theft arrested, faces multiple charges