The only time it is possible to negotiate with demonstrators or protesters is when there is something negotiable. When it comes to the increasingly aggressive protests against the Coastal Gaslink Pipeline (CGL) that have been springing up across Canada, there is nothing to negotiate..Radical activists have been blocking roads and transportation infrastructure in sporadic protests while making the demand that the CGL project be halted. Let’s face it, the CGL is a $6-billion line and it is over half-built. It is an essential piece of infrastructure providing natural gas to the Kitimat LNG terminal. The Kitimat terminal is an $18 billion project that’s nearly half-built. There is no way we are shutting down those projects now, so we may as well stop all discussion of it..The only silver lining that could be found in the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in early 2020 was it brought the anti-CLG blockades to an end. Criminal blockades of rail lines across Canada ostensibly in support of the handful of Wet’suet’en hereditary chiefs (who do not represent the Wet’suet’en) who opposed the CGL project in BC. Most of the blockades were occupied by (white) career protesters who need little excuse to interrupt the lives of productive Canadians as they try to find a sense of purpose for themselves. When people ask, “don’t they have anything better to do with their time?”, the answer is “no.”.Governments at all levels are crippled with fear when it comes to dealing with protesters, particularly if there is any kind of indigenous element involved with them. Politicians cower in fear at the thought of video imagery involving a native protester being roughly arrested by police. They avoid dealing with these protests as long as possible and it inevitably leads to escalation and confrontation. Unreasonable protests and blockades must be nipped in the bud early or the radicals will entrench themselves..It took months to dislodge the “occupy” protesters who were squatting in city parks throughout North America in 2011. Negotiations with the squatters were futile and by the time police finally moved in to remove them, the activists had developed a feeling of entitlement to the parks they were dwelling in. Many violent confrontations ensued as police were forced to physically dislodge the activists from parks. This all could have been avoided had authorities kicked these radicals out of city parks months before..We are in the early stages of what could be nationwide blockades and protests against the CGL project all over again. If governments don’t take a zero-tolerance approach to illegal blockades and disruptive protests right now, we can be assured these actions will spread. Politicians won’t be able to count on a pandemic outbreak to save their butts this time so they had better act sooner rather than later. It won’t get easier for waiting..The embers of a national conflagration of violent protest actions are burning while activists of profile fan them. This can’t be ignored..Radicals like David Suzuki are using inflammatory language in an effort to incite more extreme — even violent — actions from protesters. Leonardo DeCaprio and other vacuous celebrities are tweeting support for illegal blockaders and it is leading to hundreds of thousands of dollars being raised in support of them..In Edmonton, protesters were so bold they actually set up a propane-fueled fireplace on a bridge as they blocked access and disrupted thousands of commuters. The irony of burning Alberta fossil fuels to stay warm in a protest against Alberta fossil fuels was seemingly lost on them..In Calgary, protesters blocked roads and LRT tracks downtown during the rush hour leading to traffic snarls and infuriating commuters. The irony of blocking green mass transit while demanding more green mass transit was seemingly lost on them..It has to be understood what these activists are doing right now is testing the waters. As long as authorities refuse to push back or make arrests when protesters push legal boundaries, activists will continue to escalate their actions. They understand their demands are unreasonable, but also know as long as there are no consequences for their actions, they will keep pressuring citizens..The right to protest is an essential one. Nobody is saying those opposed to the CGL project shouldn’t be allowed to demonstrate. But we have to draw the line at illegal disruptions and attacks. Civil disobedience is not warranted in this case. There are no civil rights being violated by the CGL project. It is a legal energy infrastructure project approved by all 20 of the legitimate First Nations chiefs and councils residing near where the pipeline will be..Ironically, the CGL pipeline will contribute to mitigating world CO2 emissions once it is in operation. Ethically sourced natural gas will be exported to states currently using coal as a primary fuel source today. While natural gas is not emission-free, it is many magnitudes less harmful than using coal as energy feedstock. From a pragmatic perspective, the CGL line will help the world’s environment..The CGL line and associated Kitimat LNG terminal will employ hundreds of First Nations peoples in Northern BC. Partnerships and revenue sharing plans will ensure communities will all benefit from the operation of the line and terminal for generations..Radical activists in opposition to the CGL line are actually supporting the continuation of using coal as an energy source in developing nations; they just don’t seem to know it. Opponents to the CGL line also are working to put hundreds of First Nations people out of work while costing local communities valuable revenue. Political leaders need to quit hiding from these activists and start pushing back. There is a solid ethical case to be made in requiring that these protests remain within legal bounds (that is, now allowing the disruption or destruction of people and property)..More protests are coming and they will become more extreme. We can anticipate blockades of rail lines, roads, and other means of transportation. People will be hindered in their free movement and legal enterprise is being put at risk. The protests aren’t sweeping the nation yet though. There is still time to stop this in its tracks..We can’t stop the CGL project and we can’t let these radical activists continue with disruptive actions unchecked..It will take a demonstration of political courage and will for a change though. I am not terribly confident we will see it..Cory Morgan is the Alberta Political Columnist for the Western Standard and Host of the Cory Morgan Show
