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
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.