The Alberta Government is looking to pass a bill that will put larger penalties on anyone who tries to block critical infrastructure.
If passed, the Critical Infrastructure Defense Act (Bill 1) would include infrastructure such as: railways, highways, pipelines, utilities, and telecommunications, for example.
The fines can be as high as $10,000 for a first offence, $25,000 for subsequent offences that could include a prison sentence of up to six months, and $200,000 for corporations that help or direct trespassers.
With railways being blocked around the country, Alberta Justice Minister and Solicitor General, Doug Schweitzer says the province had to act.
“We have to make sure we send a clear signal,” says Schweitzer. “Not in Alberta, not now, not ever are we going to allow ourselves to be held economically hostage by environmental extremists.”
Schweitzer explains that this legislation will not suspend the rights of people to protest.
“You have the right to protest,” stresses Schweitzer. “However, you do not get to hold us economically hostage the way this has unfolded across the country.”
“We need a new approach to how justice ministers respond across this country. We have called on our neighbours coast-to-coast to take similar actions to Alberta.”
Manitoba Justice Minister and Attorney General, Cliff Cullen told the Winnipeg Free Press that the province’s government will be examining the legislation put forward in Alberta and then decide if it’s something that cabinet wants to pursue.
– Kenny Trenton, Trending 55 Newsroom
