Date: Saturday, March 19, 2022

File: 22-8690

Victoria, BC – Officers are establishing controlled access points in the James Bay area in preparation for planned upcoming protests. Vehicle access in the area will be limited to local vehicles only.

The controlled access points and local vehicle only traffic area comes into effect starting Saturday, March 19, 2022. Vehicle traffic in James Bay will be limited to local traffic only during this time. B.C. Transit operations will continue as usual.

VicPD supports every Canadian’s right to safe, peaceful and lawful protest.

Persons wishing to participate in protest are welcome to enter the area on foot, by bicycle or via B.C. Transit. Those with mobility concerns are asked to identify themselves to an officer at one of the access points so we can assist.

The controlled access points will remain in effect as long as required to ensure public safety and to facilitate an environment for safe, peaceful and lawful protest.

Please see the attached map for the local vehicle traffic only areas.

Eight weeks of continuous disruptions involving vehicles, “slow-roll” blockades and the use of horns, including modified air train and ship horns, has had a significant and unlawful impact on residents and businesses in James Bay and the B.C. Legislature area.

Related protest events in other cities has seen a recent escalation in events, including confrontations between protest groups and confrontations with police.

This escalation, and the impact of eight weeks of continuous protest on residents and businesses in James Bay and the B.C. Legislature area, requires VicPD to increase our response to ensure we are able to keep people safe and continue to facilitate a safe, peaceful and lawful protest environment.

Safe, peaceful and lawful protest are protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Occupation is not. Dangerous and/or unlawful activity will continue to be met with de-escalation and enforcement.

Controlled access and local traffic only areas will remain in effect as long as required to ensure public safety and to facilitate an environment for safe, peaceful and lawful protest.

In addition, our temporary, monitored CCTV cameras remain in the area of the B.C. Legislature. These cameras are deployed in keeping with B.C. and Federal privacy legislation. The cameras will be taken down once the protest events have concluded.

We will continue to provide up to date traffic and protest response information. Please follow our VicPDCanada Twitter account for the most recent details.

If you have concerns about these road closures or our CCTV camera deployment please email [email protected].

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