The City of Burnaby is going to court in a bid to remove pipeline protesters who have built an encampment on Burnaby Mountain.
The city issued an eviction order for “Camp Cloud” last Wednesday, citing multiple bylaw violations including fire hazards.
The encampment at Underhill and Shellmont Streets, near Kinder Morgan’s main tank farm, has been growing since February. It includes about 10 built structures, toilets and a fire that Indigenous protesters describe as sacred.
The city said protesters had requested a meeting with municipal officials on Monday, but failed to show up and asked to postpone the face-to-face.
LISTEN: Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan and pipeline opponent Will George talk about the Burnaby Mountain camp
“Based on actions and public statements made by Camp Cloud in the past week, there is unfortunately no willingness to comply with notices served to protect the safety of our city, other properties and that of our residents,” said Burnaby city manager Lambert Chu in a media release.
The city is now seeking an order from the BC Supreme Court to empower it to remove the camp.
“The City will not seek to prevent peaceful protest activities during the day by the individuals at Camp Cloud provided no unlawful structures, fires and other overnight camping facilities are present,” said Chu.
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The order would not affect a watch house built by Indigenous protesters on a separate, nearby site.
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Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan laid the growing dispute squarely at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s feet.
“Where is the federal government? While they are behind this pipeline, they are adamant supporters of this pipeline, they have been out there pushing every button they can, right to the point of buying the pipeline in order to ensure it proceeds. But when the problems happen, they’re nowhere to be seen,” said Corrigan.
“We never wanted these protests in our community, we didn’t want the pipeline in our community, and yet here we are having to deal with people who share the same views that we do in a way that could cause violence or further problems.”
A spokesperson for the encampment said the group would be making a statement in response to the city’s plans later on Thursday.
LISTEN: The City of Burnaby says it’s going to BC Supreme Court seeking a formal injunction to remove Camp Cloud
Protesters at the site have said they have no plans to vacate, and argue that the encampment is a peaceful protest under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
When the eviction order was initially issued, they said they were willing to meet with the city to discuss safety concerns, but would not remove the camp.
Demonstrators say the order was issued too quickly and without consultation with the camp members.
WATCH: Pipeline supporter says video shows harassment by opponents
Tensions have been rising at the protest camp site in recent weeks.
Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan said nearby residents had complained of abusive behaviour, along with drinking and drug use.
And on Monday, members of a pro-pipeline group alleged that they had been assaulted at the camp.
Camp supporters say they have been receiving death threats.
Members of the camp have also raised concerns that an attempt to evict them could echo historical standoffs with Indigenous groups such as the Gustafson Lake and Oka crises.
The BC Supreme Court ruled in March that both the camp and the nearby watch house could remain in place in response to a court injunction filed by Trans Mountain parent company Kinder Morgan.
— With files from Aaron MacArthur, Jon Azpiri and the Canadian Press
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