Kamloops North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar has fired off a letter to the B.C’s Public Safety Minister.
The object of the correspondence to Mike Farnworth, ensure any further demonstrations up the North Thompson received adequate attention from the RCMP.
The so called, Tiny House Warriors have set up another demonstration site near Blue River.
Milobar says residents and businesses want a more visible police present as the group protests the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
“We do as a community want to see more police resources while the protest is happening up in the Blue River area so people can feel more secure in their own community and I haven’t heard back from the solicitor general, but hopefully things are in place to try and meet that request.”
The first protest site was North Thompson River Provincial Park, just outside of Clearwater.
Statement from Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General:
“My job as Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General is to ensure that an adequate and effective level of policing and law enforcement is maintained throughout B.C., to ensure the safety of the public. My senior official (director of police services) has been in touch with the RCMP about MLA Milobars’ concerns regarding the situation in Blue River and the RCMP are monitoring the situation closely. The RCMP have informed us they have all the resources they need, and as always, will take the actions necessary to provide assistance in maintaining the peace and keeping everyone safe, should there be any criminal activities that pose a threat to the safety of individuals or property. We believe in a tolerant, welcoming and inclusive society, and our role in government is to create an environment in British Columbia where a diverse population supports our communities. We recognize the public’s right to engage in peaceful protests and lawful assembly and while the police will respect lawful protest, they will also act pursuant to the Criminal Code of Canada and direction of the courts, if necessary, to address unlawful conduct.”