Protesters opposed to the Coastal GasLink pipeline project shut down two key bridges in Victoria on Monday evening and were expected to throw a wrench into Tuesday’s speech from the throne.
The action is one of many across B.C. and Canada Monday in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs and their supporters, as RCMP enforced an injunction clearing blockades on the pipeline’s route near Houston, B.C.
Victoria police said demonstrators had shut down both the Johnson Street and Bay Street bridges to vehicle traffic.
Police said that by 7 p.m. both bridges had been cleared.
The bridge blockades come as a group of demonstrators remain camped out on the front steps of the B.C. legislature.
That could cause problems on Tuesday, when B.C.’s NDP government is set to unveil its speech from the throne at the legislative building.
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Demonstrators were observed making note of the building’s entrances and exits, though it remains unclear if they plan to try and block legislators from entering the building on Tuesday.
Late Monday evening, it was announced that ceremonial events at the front of the legislature for the throne speech, including the inspection of the Guard of Honour by the lieutenant-governor, would be cancelled.
Sources tell Global News that security at the building is preparing to seek a court injunction removing the protest camp, however it is unlikely that would be achieved prior to the throne speech.
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