Army vs. protesters? It won’t happen
Minister Carr apologizes for not choosing his words more carefully, backs peaceful dissent
Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr has apologized for saying those engaged in unruly protests against new oil pipelines will find themselves facing the Canadian Forces.
Carr’s apology Tuesday came as the military confirmed it was not preparing any response to oil pipeline protesters, nor was it involved in any planning for such an event.
Carr said he regretted the comments last week to a group of oil industry officials in Edmonton.
He said peaceful dissent would be allowed but if Canadians break the law then they will face the military, among other forces.
“It was not meant to conjure up images for any community,” Carr told reporters in Ottawa on Tuesday.
“I should have been more careful in choosing my words.
“I also wanted to make the point that civil disobedience and peaceful protest is very much a part of our history and I should have left it at that,” he added.
Some opponents to Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain project, which would expand an existing pipeline carrying diluted oilsands bitumen from Alberta to a terminal near Vancouver, have vowed to delay or kill it by any means possible. That has prompted concern from pipeline companies and contractors about whether their workers will be safe.
Carr’s comments have been condemned by a variety of groups for needlessly increasing tensions on an already emotional issue.
Department of National Defence spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier said neither the military nor department is involved in security on the pipeline issue.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs called Carr’s comments stupid and warned it would make an already volatile situation even worse.
Ujjal Dosanjh, a cabinet minister in Paul Martin’s former Liberal government, said Carr’s comments were “uncivil.”