On the road to the site, police discovered "downed trees, tar covered stumps, wire, boards with spikes in them, and fires" blocking the way.
Updated: February 19, 2022
Canada Protests: Heavy machinery was overturned with their windows and engines smashed.
Ottawa:
Canadian police said Friday they were investigating a "violent confrontation" at a gas pipeline construction site in the western province of British Columbia.
Shortly after midnight Thursday, police attempted to inspect the Coastal GasLink (CGL) construction site near Houston, where they say "approximately 20 people, some armed with axes" had been reported to be "attacking security guards and smashing their vehicle windows," according to a statement released by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
On the road to the site, police discovered "downed trees, tar covered stumps, wire, boards with spikes in them, and fires" blocking the way.
"As police worked their way through the debris and traps, several people threw smoke bombs and fire lit sticks at the police, injuring one officer," the statement added.
When the police finally arrived at the worksite, they discovered "a multimillion dollar path of destruction."
Photos accompanying the statement showed heavy machinery overturned or their windows and engines smashed, and a trailer with a wall ripped off.
"This coordinated and criminal attack from multiple directions threatened the lives of several workers," said CGL in a statement.
"In one of the most concerning acts, an attempt was made to set a vehicle on fire while workers were inside," the company, headquartered in neighboring Alberta province, added.
The CGL pipeline aims to bring natural gas from eastern British Columbia to be liquified in a facility on the Pacific coast, before being exported.
The project has stirred controversy in Canada for years.
At the beginning of 2020, protesters against the pipeline mobilized across multiple Canadian provinces with some blocking rail traffic for weeks.
At the moment, the CGL pipeline is 60 percent completed, the company said.
1Comments(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
RCMP investigate alleged attack on Coastal GasLink pipeline worksite in B.C.
CBC/Radio-Canada - Thursday
RCMP said they're investigating a "violent confrontation" at a pipeline construction site involving an unidentified group of about 20 people who allegedly threatened Coastal GasLink (CGL) employees and attending officers.
Police said they were called to the Marten Forest Service Road about 60 kilometres south of Houston, B.C., shortly after midnight on Feb. 17. They said CGL security reported violence at the site, where workers are helping build part of a 670-kilometre natural gas pipeline.
RCMP said around 20 people had allegedly attacked security guards and employees.
"So these individuals, the 20 or so masked individuals, took these employees by surprise in a very aggressive and calculated method," Chief Supt. Warren Brown told CBC News on Friday morning.
"They confronted the employees, threatened them with axes and flares and other incendiary-type devices."
Heavy equipment on-site was commandeered by the attackers and used to damage other equipment, according to CGL.
It remains unclear how many employees were on site at the time of the attack.
In an update provided Feb. 18, the company said nine employees, including security guards and contract workers, were present at the site. Two different RCMP officers, who both said they'd spoken with CGL, provided different numbers: one said 12 employees were on site, and the other said 11. Both agreed four of those people were security guards.
© CBC GraphicsA map showing various incidents reported by Coastal GasLink at its work sites outside of Houston, B.C., in 2021 and 2022.
Police also said officers were targeted when they went to investigate.
RCMP said the road was blocked with downed trees, tar-covered stumps, wire and boards with spikes. They said as they made their way along the road, people threw smoke bombs and fire-lit sticks.
Brown said one officer was injured after he walked over a board with spikes in it, which police said was left by the attackers.
CGL said lighting and video surveillance were disabled as part of the attack, and any video and photo evidence they have, have been handed over to investigators.
RCMP media relations Cpl. Madonna Saunderson said, so far, no suspects have been identified, and no one is in custody.
Further down the road, police said there was extensive damage to heavy machinery and buildings. CGL said there were "millions of dollars in damage" but it is estimating the final cost.
Brown said the attackers used machinery at the site to damage buildings and the drill pad at the site. When officers arrived to investigate that damage, the attackers had already left, he said.
Police are appealing to the public for any information they may have about the incident. Brown said police plan to speak with employees who were attacked but that many of them "are very scared and shaken up over this."
So far, neither the police nor CGL have explicitly said whether they believe the alleged attack is tied to opposition to the pipeline.
CGL said there have been several incidents over the past "several weeks" where unknown people have used forest trails to get to that particular site and confront and intimidate workers. The company said those incidents were reported to police.
'Devious, evil'
Brown said those behind the attack are not protesters and described the incident as "devious" and "evil."
"This has nothing to do with protest activity, whether it be legal or illegal," he said, "This strictly has to do with a very, very serious and significant criminal investigation."
Brown told CBC News that past protests law enforcement has observed at the site have involved people who were hostile and acting illegally, as well as those acting peacefully.
He said police would ensure that nearby residents and peaceful protesters were safe.
A hotly contested pipeline
The hotly contested CGL natural gas pipeline, which is planned to extend from northeast B.C. to Kitimat on the province's North Coast, is being built through the territory of the Wet'suwet'en Nation.
The company said the project is fully authorized and permitted by government, and has the support of all 20 First Nation band councils, including five of the six band councils in the Wet'suwet'en Nation.
However, Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs have opposed the project, saying band councils do not have authority over land beyond reserve boundaries.
In December 2019, the B.C. Supreme Court granted an injunction against members of the Wet'suwe'ten Nation who were blocking access to the worksite located within their territory. Earlier that year, police made more than a dozen arrests of people identifying as land defenders, who had set up blockades to stop construction.
In November 2021, RCMP made another set of arrests of Wet'suwet'en members, where police used a chainsaw to break down the door of a cabin where people opposed to the pipeline had been staying. Two journalists were also arrested.
In both cases, police were met with little resistance, despite preparing for high levels of violence.
Hereditary Wet'suwet'en Chief Na'Moks, of the Tsayu Clan, declined to comment on the matter until more information about the situation is made available.
CBC has contacted representatives of the Gidimt'en Checkpoint, where much of the protest has been focused, for more details but has not yet heard back.
B.C. Premier John Horgan described the reported attack as "reprehensible."
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth, federal Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson and Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino also publicly condemned the alleged attacks.
Brown said despite ongoing protest to the project, there had been little concern over any tensions in the area lately.
"This completely took us by surprise. I believe it took the industry by surprise," he said. "I'd have to say things have been fairly peaceful over the last short while."
Industry 'reverberations'
The MLA for the area, John Rustad, said he is worried violence like this could create a chill for any company or industry trying to undertake or complete resource projects in B.C.
"It makes it a very challenging work environment for the people that are trying to move forward on this project and do their jobs," he said.
"Obviously they are very concerned for their safety and are very shaken up by this and this will have reverberations right through I suspect on anybody working on any resource project in the province to see this type of lawlessness take place."
Wet’suwet’en Nation condemns northern B.C. pipeline attack as new images released
Amy Judd - Yesterday
CBC/Radio-Canada - Thursday
RCMP said they're investigating a "violent confrontation" at a pipeline construction site involving an unidentified group of about 20 people who allegedly threatened Coastal GasLink (CGL) employees and attending officers.
Police said they were called to the Marten Forest Service Road about 60 kilometres south of Houston, B.C., shortly after midnight on Feb. 17. They said CGL security reported violence at the site, where workers are helping build part of a 670-kilometre natural gas pipeline.
RCMP said around 20 people had allegedly attacked security guards and employees.
"So these individuals, the 20 or so masked individuals, took these employees by surprise in a very aggressive and calculated method," Chief Supt. Warren Brown told CBC News on Friday morning.
"They confronted the employees, threatened them with axes and flares and other incendiary-type devices."
Heavy equipment on-site was commandeered by the attackers and used to damage other equipment, according to CGL.
It remains unclear how many employees were on site at the time of the attack.
In an update provided Feb. 18, the company said nine employees, including security guards and contract workers, were present at the site. Two different RCMP officers, who both said they'd spoken with CGL, provided different numbers: one said 12 employees were on site, and the other said 11. Both agreed four of those people were security guards.
© CBC GraphicsA map showing various incidents reported by Coastal GasLink at its work sites outside of Houston, B.C., in 2021 and 2022.
Police also said officers were targeted when they went to investigate.
RCMP said the road was blocked with downed trees, tar-covered stumps, wire and boards with spikes. They said as they made their way along the road, people threw smoke bombs and fire-lit sticks.
Brown said one officer was injured after he walked over a board with spikes in it, which police said was left by the attackers.
CGL said lighting and video surveillance were disabled as part of the attack, and any video and photo evidence they have, have been handed over to investigators.
RCMP media relations Cpl. Madonna Saunderson said, so far, no suspects have been identified, and no one is in custody.
Further down the road, police said there was extensive damage to heavy machinery and buildings. CGL said there were "millions of dollars in damage" but it is estimating the final cost.
Brown said the attackers used machinery at the site to damage buildings and the drill pad at the site. When officers arrived to investigate that damage, the attackers had already left, he said.
Police are appealing to the public for any information they may have about the incident. Brown said police plan to speak with employees who were attacked but that many of them "are very scared and shaken up over this."
So far, neither the police nor CGL have explicitly said whether they believe the alleged attack is tied to opposition to the pipeline.
CGL said there have been several incidents over the past "several weeks" where unknown people have used forest trails to get to that particular site and confront and intimidate workers. The company said those incidents were reported to police.
'Devious, evil'
Brown said those behind the attack are not protesters and described the incident as "devious" and "evil."
"This has nothing to do with protest activity, whether it be legal or illegal," he said, "This strictly has to do with a very, very serious and significant criminal investigation."
Brown told CBC News that past protests law enforcement has observed at the site have involved people who were hostile and acting illegally, as well as those acting peacefully.
He said police would ensure that nearby residents and peaceful protesters were safe.
A hotly contested pipeline
The hotly contested CGL natural gas pipeline, which is planned to extend from northeast B.C. to Kitimat on the province's North Coast, is being built through the territory of the Wet'suwet'en Nation.
The company said the project is fully authorized and permitted by government, and has the support of all 20 First Nation band councils, including five of the six band councils in the Wet'suwet'en Nation.
However, Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs have opposed the project, saying band councils do not have authority over land beyond reserve boundaries.
In December 2019, the B.C. Supreme Court granted an injunction against members of the Wet'suwe'ten Nation who were blocking access to the worksite located within their territory. Earlier that year, police made more than a dozen arrests of people identifying as land defenders, who had set up blockades to stop construction.
In November 2021, RCMP made another set of arrests of Wet'suwet'en members, where police used a chainsaw to break down the door of a cabin where people opposed to the pipeline had been staying. Two journalists were also arrested.
In both cases, police were met with little resistance, despite preparing for high levels of violence.
Hereditary Wet'suwet'en Chief Na'Moks, of the Tsayu Clan, declined to comment on the matter until more information about the situation is made available.
CBC has contacted representatives of the Gidimt'en Checkpoint, where much of the protest has been focused, for more details but has not yet heard back.
B.C. Premier John Horgan described the reported attack as "reprehensible."
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth, federal Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson and Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino also publicly condemned the alleged attacks.
Brown said despite ongoing protest to the project, there had been little concern over any tensions in the area lately.
"This completely took us by surprise. I believe it took the industry by surprise," he said. "I'd have to say things have been fairly peaceful over the last short while."
Industry 'reverberations'
The MLA for the area, John Rustad, said he is worried violence like this could create a chill for any company or industry trying to undertake or complete resource projects in B.C.
"It makes it a very challenging work environment for the people that are trying to move forward on this project and do their jobs," he said.
"Obviously they are very concerned for their safety and are very shaken up by this and this will have reverberations right through I suspect on anybody working on any resource project in the province to see this type of lawlessness take place."
Amy Judd - Yesterday
A Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chief told Global News on Friday the nation is "disheartened" to see what happened at the Coastal GasLink worksite this week.
"We certainly don't, as a Wet'suwet'en people, condone this type of action," said Chief Wihaliy'te, who is also known as Theresa Tait-Day.
RCMP in northern British Columbia said a “violent confrontation” between unknown attackers and Coastal GasLink pipeline workers happened early Thursday.
Houston RCMP said security officials with the company reported “acts of violence” by masked attackers at their worksite by the Marten Forest Service Road early Thursday morning.
"They were dressed in camouflage-type outer winter wear, their faces were disguised, they had masks over their face and they started using extreme violence against the workers," Chief Supt. Warren Brown, North District Commander, told CKPG News.
Brown said there were torches thrown at and into the beds of pickup trucks, and that axes were used to break windows and damage vehicles with GasLink employees still inside.
"The employees were scared away, they were told to leave, which they complied with immediately," Brown added.
He said some machines were stolen and used to damage other vehicles at the construction site.
In an update Friday afternoon, Coastal GasLink said approximately nine members of the nightshift workforce were "terrorized" during the incident.
Photo and video evidence, including imagery of the masked attackers, have been turned over to the RCMP and are part of their investigation, the company confirmed.
They said the attackers disabled lighting and video surveillance at the worksite and heavy equipment on-site was used to cause "significant damage to other heavy equipment and trailers."
The initial damage estimate is in the millions of dollars, Coastal GasLink said.
“We are aware of reports that wrongly suggest that this attack was staged. We find these suggestions offensive and irresponsible as they only serve to retraumatize the workers who experienced the violent attack,” Kent Wilfur, vice president Project Delivery, Coastal GasLink, said in a statement.
It is not yet known who the attackers were and no one has claimed responsibility for the incident.
"I want to make it very clear. This is not a protest group we are investigating. This is not an Indigenous community we're investigating. This is a criminal act we're investigating," Brown said.
Tait-Day said the Wet'suwet'en Nation does not condone these actions.
"We know we've had hard difficulties with Coastal GasLink in the past and we are not quite finished dealing with them," she said. "However, as a nation, we need to start a healing process. We need to build our community and we should be looking for opportunities from industry and we shouldn't be fighting every opportunity that comes to our table for consideration."
Video: Coastal GasLink Pipeline damaged near Houston, B.C.
She said they don't want other people or other communities coming to their nation to fulfill their agendas.
"It certainly isn't our Nation that is carrying out this work."
Tait-Day added it's important now that the government and industry support the Wet'suwet'en Nation in developing a decision-making process that is democratic and inclusive of everyone.
"Our feeling is that these are people from outside of province and we would like them to go home and leave the decision-making of these projects up to the Wet'suwet'en People. We don't need their help."
Read more:
Police officer injured in ‘escalation’ of violence at northern B.C. pipeline site
The Coastal GasLink project is almost 60 per cent complete and the company said it has signed agreements with all 20 elected “Indigenous groups” along the pipeline route.
If built, the 670-kilometre pipeline would transport natural gas from northeastern B.C. to a liquefied natural gas facility in coastal Kitimat, where it would be exported to global markets.
Members of the Gidimt’en Checkpoint have previously set up and maintained a blockade cutting off access to Coastal GasLink sites for more than 500 pipeline workers.
The Gidimt’en Clan, one of five in Wet’suwet’en Nation, has said advance notice is provided to Coastal GasLink every time it plans to enforce an eviction.
There is no indication this attack is related to any previous protests at the site or about the pipeline.
Coastal GasLink said work continues along the rest of the pipeline at this time.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other politicians have condemned the attack, saying it is "inexcusable."
B.C. Premier John Horgan issued a statement calling the attack is "reprehensible."
"The damage and destruction are disturbing to all British Columbians," he said. "The B.C. government understands the seriousness of this violent and criminal act. The RCMP is conducting a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible.
"My thoughts are with the workers who were traumatized by this attack and with the RCMP officer who was injured.
"Intimidation and violence should be condemned by all British Columbians."
In addition, Mike Farnworth, the Minister of Public Safety and the Solicitor General said in a statement "there is no excuse for such violence and intimidation. All workers deserve to be protected from harassment and harm.
Read more:
Charges no longer proceeding against journalists arrested at B.C. pipeline protest
“This destructive attack should be condemned by all in British Columbia.”
The investigation continues.
-- with files from Elizabeth McSheffrey
"We certainly don't, as a Wet'suwet'en people, condone this type of action," said Chief Wihaliy'te, who is also known as Theresa Tait-Day.
RCMP in northern British Columbia said a “violent confrontation” between unknown attackers and Coastal GasLink pipeline workers happened early Thursday.
Houston RCMP said security officials with the company reported “acts of violence” by masked attackers at their worksite by the Marten Forest Service Road early Thursday morning.
"They were dressed in camouflage-type outer winter wear, their faces were disguised, they had masks over their face and they started using extreme violence against the workers," Chief Supt. Warren Brown, North District Commander, told CKPG News.
Brown said there were torches thrown at and into the beds of pickup trucks, and that axes were used to break windows and damage vehicles with GasLink employees still inside.
"The employees were scared away, they were told to leave, which they complied with immediately," Brown added.
He said some machines were stolen and used to damage other vehicles at the construction site.
In an update Friday afternoon, Coastal GasLink said approximately nine members of the nightshift workforce were "terrorized" during the incident.
Photo and video evidence, including imagery of the masked attackers, have been turned over to the RCMP and are part of their investigation, the company confirmed.
They said the attackers disabled lighting and video surveillance at the worksite and heavy equipment on-site was used to cause "significant damage to other heavy equipment and trailers."
The initial damage estimate is in the millions of dollars, Coastal GasLink said.
“We are aware of reports that wrongly suggest that this attack was staged. We find these suggestions offensive and irresponsible as they only serve to retraumatize the workers who experienced the violent attack,” Kent Wilfur, vice president Project Delivery, Coastal GasLink, said in a statement.
It is not yet known who the attackers were and no one has claimed responsibility for the incident.
"I want to make it very clear. This is not a protest group we are investigating. This is not an Indigenous community we're investigating. This is a criminal act we're investigating," Brown said.
Tait-Day said the Wet'suwet'en Nation does not condone these actions.
"We know we've had hard difficulties with Coastal GasLink in the past and we are not quite finished dealing with them," she said. "However, as a nation, we need to start a healing process. We need to build our community and we should be looking for opportunities from industry and we shouldn't be fighting every opportunity that comes to our table for consideration."
Video: Coastal GasLink Pipeline damaged near Houston, B.C.
She said they don't want other people or other communities coming to their nation to fulfill their agendas.
"It certainly isn't our Nation that is carrying out this work."
Tait-Day added it's important now that the government and industry support the Wet'suwet'en Nation in developing a decision-making process that is democratic and inclusive of everyone.
"Our feeling is that these are people from outside of province and we would like them to go home and leave the decision-making of these projects up to the Wet'suwet'en People. We don't need their help."
Read more:
Police officer injured in ‘escalation’ of violence at northern B.C. pipeline site
The Coastal GasLink project is almost 60 per cent complete and the company said it has signed agreements with all 20 elected “Indigenous groups” along the pipeline route.
If built, the 670-kilometre pipeline would transport natural gas from northeastern B.C. to a liquefied natural gas facility in coastal Kitimat, where it would be exported to global markets.
Members of the Gidimt’en Checkpoint have previously set up and maintained a blockade cutting off access to Coastal GasLink sites for more than 500 pipeline workers.
The Gidimt’en Clan, one of five in Wet’suwet’en Nation, has said advance notice is provided to Coastal GasLink every time it plans to enforce an eviction.
There is no indication this attack is related to any previous protests at the site or about the pipeline.
Coastal GasLink said work continues along the rest of the pipeline at this time.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other politicians have condemned the attack, saying it is "inexcusable."
B.C. Premier John Horgan issued a statement calling the attack is "reprehensible."
"The damage and destruction are disturbing to all British Columbians," he said. "The B.C. government understands the seriousness of this violent and criminal act. The RCMP is conducting a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible.
"My thoughts are with the workers who were traumatized by this attack and with the RCMP officer who was injured.
"Intimidation and violence should be condemned by all British Columbians."
In addition, Mike Farnworth, the Minister of Public Safety and the Solicitor General said in a statement "there is no excuse for such violence and intimidation. All workers deserve to be protected from harassment and harm.
Read more:
Charges no longer proceeding against journalists arrested at B.C. pipeline protest
“This destructive attack should be condemned by all in British Columbia.”
The investigation continues.
-- with files from Elizabeth McSheffrey
Politicians condemn violence at Coastal GasLink construction site in northern B.C.
Politicians are denouncing what police have called a violent confrontation in separate attacks against officers and employees at a construction site for a natural gas pipeline being built across northern British Columbia.
© Provided by The Canadian PressPoliticians condemn violence at Coastal GasLink construction site in northern B.C.
Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino called the allegations of violence at the Coastal GasLink site and on a forestry road "disturbing."
"I'm deeply concerned to hear reports of violent confrontations at the work site including the injury of an RCMP officer," he said Friday in Ottawa.
"And I want to make it clear that no matter what your cause, or your views are, on any subject matter, there is never any justification for violence toward your fellow Canadians. And that obviously includes the members of the RCMP and other members who work in our law enforcement."
On Thursday, RCMP said they were called to a Coastal GasLink construction site following reports of an attack against security guards and damaged property. Before getting there, officers were stopped on the road by a fire where a group allegedly threw smoke bombs and flaming sticks, injuring the officer, police said in a statement.
RCMP spokesman Sgt. Chris Manseau said Friday that the investigation is ongoing and there were no updates.
Photos of the construction site provided by police and Coastal GasLink show overturned machines, including a backhoe, dump trucks with caved in front ends and a trailer with a large section smashed out of its middle.
"This was a calculated and organized violent attack that left its victims shaken and a multimillion-dollar path of destruction," Chief Supt. Warren Brown, north district commander for the RCMP, said in a news release on Thursday.
Police said that as many as 20 people may have been involved in the attack, some of them carrying axes when they allegedly attacked security guards and smashed vehicle windows. Coastal GasLink said there were no physical injuries to its workers.
Premier John Horgan called the attack "reprehensible," saying the damage and destruction are disturbing.
"The B.C. government understands the seriousness of this violent and criminal act," he said in a statement.
"Intimidation and violence should be condemned by all British Columbians."
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney as well as former Edmonton and Calgary mayors Don Iveson and Naheed Nenshi called the violence "deplorable" on social media.
In a tweet, Kenney raised the federal government's use of the Emergencies Act to end a blockade against COVID-19 restrictions in Ottawa, asking if similar measures would be used by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the attack at Coastal GasLink.
"Will the Trudeau government now seize the bank accounts of the foreign funded eco-terrorists responsible for this violence?" he asked.
The RCMP have not given any indication who might be responsible for the alleged attacks.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe also pushed the federal government on whether it would use the Emergencies Act in the Coastal GasLink case.
"If the Trudeau government is set on using the Emergencies Act to end blockades, then they should also use it to follow the money, seize the associated vehicles and provide all of the resources necessary to ensure those illegally acting here are arrested for damaging and blocking this critical export infrastructure," he said in a tweet.
Coastal GasLink said in a news release that the alleged confrontation occurred in the same spot where a blockade protesting the pipeline's construction was set up last year for about two months.
The 670-kilometre pipeline has been at the centre of several protests and arrests.
Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs opposing the pipeline sparked rallies and rail blockades across Canada in 2020.
Coastal GasLink obtained an injunction against blockades and Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs issued the company an eviction notice.
Hereditary Chief Na'moks declined to comment on Friday.
"We simply don't have enough information to make any comments, all we know is no arrests or charges and harassment of our camps continue," he said in a text message. "Nothing more than that until we get more information as well."
The elected council of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation is among those who have approved of the project.
Kent Wilfur, a vice-president at Coastal GasLink, said in a news release on Friday that he has spoken to workers, Indigenous and community leaders, governments, and the company's partners, "and all have expressed their outrage about this attack."
"We appreciate the outpouring of support for our workers, including the labour unions who represent them, and stand together in condemning these actions."
The news release said about nine members of the company's night shift were the victims of the attack.
It said Coastal GasLink plans to resume construction when it safe to do so after the police investigation on site is complete and the company has finalized a damage assessment.
Construction on the pipeline began in 2019 and is expected to be completed next year.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 18, 2022.
Hina Alam, The Canadian Press
Politicians are denouncing what police have called a violent confrontation in separate attacks against officers and employees at a construction site for a natural gas pipeline being built across northern British Columbia.
© Provided by The Canadian PressPoliticians condemn violence at Coastal GasLink construction site in northern B.C.
Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino called the allegations of violence at the Coastal GasLink site and on a forestry road "disturbing."
"I'm deeply concerned to hear reports of violent confrontations at the work site including the injury of an RCMP officer," he said Friday in Ottawa.
"And I want to make it clear that no matter what your cause, or your views are, on any subject matter, there is never any justification for violence toward your fellow Canadians. And that obviously includes the members of the RCMP and other members who work in our law enforcement."
On Thursday, RCMP said they were called to a Coastal GasLink construction site following reports of an attack against security guards and damaged property. Before getting there, officers were stopped on the road by a fire where a group allegedly threw smoke bombs and flaming sticks, injuring the officer, police said in a statement.
RCMP spokesman Sgt. Chris Manseau said Friday that the investigation is ongoing and there were no updates.
Photos of the construction site provided by police and Coastal GasLink show overturned machines, including a backhoe, dump trucks with caved in front ends and a trailer with a large section smashed out of its middle.
"This was a calculated and organized violent attack that left its victims shaken and a multimillion-dollar path of destruction," Chief Supt. Warren Brown, north district commander for the RCMP, said in a news release on Thursday.
Police said that as many as 20 people may have been involved in the attack, some of them carrying axes when they allegedly attacked security guards and smashed vehicle windows. Coastal GasLink said there were no physical injuries to its workers.
Premier John Horgan called the attack "reprehensible," saying the damage and destruction are disturbing.
"The B.C. government understands the seriousness of this violent and criminal act," he said in a statement.
"Intimidation and violence should be condemned by all British Columbians."
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney as well as former Edmonton and Calgary mayors Don Iveson and Naheed Nenshi called the violence "deplorable" on social media.
In a tweet, Kenney raised the federal government's use of the Emergencies Act to end a blockade against COVID-19 restrictions in Ottawa, asking if similar measures would be used by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the attack at Coastal GasLink.
"Will the Trudeau government now seize the bank accounts of the foreign funded eco-terrorists responsible for this violence?" he asked.
The RCMP have not given any indication who might be responsible for the alleged attacks.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe also pushed the federal government on whether it would use the Emergencies Act in the Coastal GasLink case.
"If the Trudeau government is set on using the Emergencies Act to end blockades, then they should also use it to follow the money, seize the associated vehicles and provide all of the resources necessary to ensure those illegally acting here are arrested for damaging and blocking this critical export infrastructure," he said in a tweet.
Coastal GasLink said in a news release that the alleged confrontation occurred in the same spot where a blockade protesting the pipeline's construction was set up last year for about two months.
The 670-kilometre pipeline has been at the centre of several protests and arrests.
Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs opposing the pipeline sparked rallies and rail blockades across Canada in 2020.
Coastal GasLink obtained an injunction against blockades and Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs issued the company an eviction notice.
Hereditary Chief Na'moks declined to comment on Friday.
"We simply don't have enough information to make any comments, all we know is no arrests or charges and harassment of our camps continue," he said in a text message. "Nothing more than that until we get more information as well."
The elected council of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation is among those who have approved of the project.
Kent Wilfur, a vice-president at Coastal GasLink, said in a news release on Friday that he has spoken to workers, Indigenous and community leaders, governments, and the company's partners, "and all have expressed their outrage about this attack."
"We appreciate the outpouring of support for our workers, including the labour unions who represent them, and stand together in condemning these actions."
The news release said about nine members of the company's night shift were the victims of the attack.
It said Coastal GasLink plans to resume construction when it safe to do so after the police investigation on site is complete and the company has finalized a damage assessment.
Construction on the pipeline began in 2019 and is expected to be completed next year.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 18, 2022.
Hina Alam, The Canadian Press
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