Protests block key BC Ferries terminal and put boats hours behind schedule

Ferries in and out of Victoria are running behind today, but it’s not because of any weather-related delays.

Protesters blocked off the highway access to the Swartz Bay terminal this morning, which forced BC Ferries to put operations on hold.

BC Ferries at Swartz Bay locked down by #Wetsuweten solidarity friends. BC ferries has been talking about peddling #LNG Fracked Gas in their vessels. That didn’t go unnoticed. #Bcpoli pic.twitter.com/v6QoMCSRsk

— Mark Worthing (@OrcaCedarbough) January 20, 2020

Good morning - We are aware of the protest happening outside of our Swartz Bay terminal, and crew are working on a contingency plan for moving traffic through for processing. Keep updated here and through our #ServiceNotice page: https://t.co/0cdzfiMYJs ^js

— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) January 20, 2020

The group was protesting over ongoing tensions regarding construction of a liquefied natural gas pipeline across northwestern British Columbia.

Not only did the unidentified group make a blockade on the highway, they also used kayaks to ensure ferries to the mainland couldn’t leave their berths and incoming ferries couldn’t dock.

The protesters had signs that demanded respect for Wet’suwet’en sovereignty and opposed the threat of what they call “a violent RCMP invasion.”

They reportedly targeted BC Ferries because of the company’s “deepening integration with the liquefied natural gas industry.”

#BREAKING Please Share Widely 💥

Group blockades Highway 17, prevents BC Ferries sailings by kayaks to demand respect for Wet’suwet'en sovereignty and oppose the threat of #RCMP invasion #wetsuweten #bcpoli #CdnPoli pic.twitter.com/may3mK7fpZ

— Mark Worthing (@OrcaCedarbough) January 20, 2020

"We emphasize that provincial infrastructure cannot be built or maintained through the colonization and destruction of the territories and waters that the Wet’suwet’en have governed since time immemorial," said an emailed statement from the protest group.

Coastal GasLink is building the 670-kilometre pipeline from BC’s northeast to Kitimat, but hereditary Wet’suwet’en chiefs say that they've issued an eviction notice to stop the work.

However, a BC Supreme Court injunction prevents interference with pipeline operations.

Eventually, the protesters were cleared and the boats have resumed running, but BC Ferries says they’re about 150 minutes behind schedule.

_{With files from the Canadian Press.}