This morning, from 8 to 9 AM, Victorians opposing the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion took to the streets outside of the Canada Revenue Agency building in downtown Victoria to protest the use of federal funds in subsidizing the project.
The opposition arose after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the federal government’s intentions to use public funding to aid Kinder Morgan when the project was put on pause due to resistance from BC’s provincial government.
This morning’s protest
Today’s demonstration highlighted the use of Indigenous land in the pipeline expansion – a move that goes against the wishes of several Indigenous Nations and defies Trudeau’s promises to work towards reconciliation.
It took place outside the Federal Tax Services building on Vancouver Street, and protestors blocked employee access to the building, forcing it to shut down for an hour.
The organizers posted a strongly worded Facebook event prior to the demonstration, calling on those who “desire decolonization in deeds not words” to “take initiative to resist the brutal collaboration of governments and corporations”. Over 500 people responded to the event page.
Check out these photos from the event:
Hey @JustinTrudeau if you threaten to use public funds to bailout #KinderMorgan, people tend to be choked… pic.twitter.com/PwguzQg8TO
— 👻 (@OrcaCedarbough) April 23, 2018
How do #yyj citizens start the week off? By blocking a federal tax office is opposition to @JustinTrudeau’s #KinderMorgan bailout! #StopKM pic.twitter.com/RMIpGBNH5G
— Torrance Coste (@TorranceCoste) April 23, 2018
Crowd outside of blocked CRA office in #yyj listening to @ErielTD speaking by phone about the impacts of the #tarsands. #StopKM #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/48sTxLPb4a
— Torrance Coste (@TorranceCoste) April 23, 2018
No Public $$$$ for #KinderMorgan demo in #yyj getting lots of support from people on street. #StopKM #cdnpoli #polcan #ProtectTheInlet pic.twitter.com/5TMnTddItj
— Council of Cdns, Vic (@cocvic) April 23, 2018
Public $$$ for climate solutions, not climate crime! At #yyj #stopkm demo. #cdnpoli #bcpoli #CanClimateAction pic.twitter.com/cWXzziivQf
— Council of Cdns, Vic (@cocvic) April 23, 2018
Great #StopKM action today in #yyj! Thanks to @KanahusFreedom & @ErielTD for speaking via phone. Photo by @wildernews. #cdnpoli #KinderMorgan pic.twitter.com/3cO9MnHjav
— Council of Cdns, Vic (@cocvic) April 23, 2018