Extinction Rebellion holds sit-in at Surrey mill that processes old growth timber
Environmental activists gathered at the Teal-Jones mill in Surrey, B.C., Monday to protest the company's logging of old growth forests.
The demonstration was organized by Extinction Rebellion, the same group that’s previously shut down a number of Vancouver bridges and intersections to draw attention to environmental causes.
"Extinction Rebellion does disruptive action, so that's what we're doing here today – we're shutting down the Teal-Jones mill for the morning," member Brent Eichler told CTV News.
"We're here in support of the land defenders, of the First Nations people who are fighting to protect the land and water."
The group gathered around 8 a.m. at 104 Avenue and Trigg Road to block vehicle access to the mill, which processes some old growth timber along with second growth timber, and demand an audience with the Teal-Jones CEO.
Protesters have been blockading forestry roads in the Fairy Creek area of Vancouver Island since last summer, resulting in a B.C. Supreme Court injunction and more than 150 arrests.
Over the weekend, a group of local First Nations reached an agreement to defer all old-growth logging in the area pending the development of a long-term resource stewardship plan.
The Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht, and Pacheedaht First Nations said they informed the B.C. government of their plan on Saturday.
Teal-Jones told CTV News it will adhere to the First Nations' decision.
The company previously defended its logging operations in the Fairy Creek old-growth forest area, saying it only planned to log 20 acres of the 200 hectares available for harvest. The Fair Creek watershed is said to be almost 1,200 hectares in total.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.