B.C. MP says he has no regrets over pipeline arrest

B.C. New Democrat MP Kennedy Stewart says he knew he’d face legal punishment when he violated an injunction at a Kinder Morgan work site but he has no regrets about protesting the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline.

Stewart says he pleaded guilty to a criminal contempt of court charge in B.C. Supreme Court on Monday after he was arrested outside Kinder Morgan’s pipeline terminal in Burnaby on March 23.

“The police read me the in junction and I understood it and I expected there would be some punishment, some consequences,” he said.

“I wasn’t going to try and wriggle out of them or anything.”

Stewart, who is stepping down as the MP for Burnaby South to run for Vancouver mayor, said he was ordered to pay a fine of $500 by Friday.

“I told the judge today that I deeply respected him and the rule of law but I had pledged to stand with my constituents and that’s why I did it, in order to protect the coast and our economy and our community,” he said.

Green party Leader Elizabeth May was also arrested the same day and is scheduled to appear in court on May 28.

The B.C. Prosecution Service said Monday special prosecutors have determined both cases should proceed as criminal contempt charges.

Special prosecutors were appointed after B.C. Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Affleck called for criminal contempt charges to be laid against demonstrators alleged to have violated a court injunction requiring protesters to stay away from two work sites in Burnaby.

Dozens of people have been arrested for protesting against the pipeline expansion, which would triple the flow of heavy oil products from Edmonton to Burnaby.

Kinder Morgan announced last month that it is pulling back on spending for the project and wants a clear signal by May 31 that it won’t be delayed by further court battles.