Climate activists disrupt traffic near Vancouver International Airport
Climate activists blocked traffic headed for Vancouver International Airport on Monday while calling for an end to Canada's fossil fuel subsidies.
The group Extinction Rebellion announced plans to "disrupt airport access" beginning at 4:30 p.m. as part of a two-week campaign of daily events designed to draw attention to the global climate crisis.
"There are people here who are willing to enter into civil resistance to the point of arrest," organizer Zain Haq told CTV News. "We expect to be there as long as it takes until the RCMP arrest people."
Extinction Rebellion has focused much of its attention criticizing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's climate leadership, highlighting his government's continued support of the Trans Mountain pipeline.
The protesters have blocked several major intersections and traffic arteries in Metro Vancouver since the campaign began, resulting in a number of arrests.
Ahead of Monday's demonstration, Extinction Rebellion released a statement purportedly from one of the people arrested on Sunday named Bridgette: "I am a biologist. I am a teacher. I am a mother. Today I chose to be arrested – to be separated from my seven-month-old son and five-year-old daughter – because I am so desperate for meaningful action on climate change."
"I want to be able to tell my kids I tried my best to give them a future worth living," it reads.
Richmond RCMP said officers would be working with protest organizers to ensure the demonstration is carried out safely. Authorities recommended that drivers watch for pedestrians in the area of Templeton Street and Grant McConnachie Way.
They also told travellers to plan ahead to ensure they can make it to their flight on time.
In a statement, Vancouver International Airport suggested that travellers consider taking the Canada Line, which connects to YVR from downtown Vancouver in 26 minutes, rather than driving.
The airport also noted its own "commitment to become net zero carbon by 2030."
"As an organization, we share the view that we need to find and advance fossil fuel alternatives for aviation and beyond, and we respect the right to peaceful protest," YVR said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.