Federal Minister threatens to use Army against pipeline protesters!?

[Spencer100]

This could be a shit sandwich



Canada may deploy defence forces if pipeline protests aren't peaceful: Natural resources minister
http://www.bnn.ca/canada-may-deploy-defence-forces-if-pipeline-protests-aren-t-peaceful-natural-resources-minister-1.621381


Shane McNeil, BNN.ca Staff

  [:'(Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr says the federal government will call in reinforcements if Canadian pipeline protests get out of hand.

The federal government approved Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and Enbridge’s Line 3 replacement on Tuesday. Both projects have been hot button issues amid fears about their potential environmental impact.

Carr warned potential protesters on Thursday to keep any resistance to the projects non-violent.

“If people choose for their own reasons not to be peaceful, then the government of Canada – through its defence forces, through its police forces – will ensure that people are kept safe,” Carr said in Edmonton on Thursday.

“We have a history of peaceful dialogue and dissent in Canada. I’m certainly hopeful that that tradition will continue. If people determine for their own reasons that that is not the path they want to follow, then we live under the rule of law.”

Pipeline protests have come to the forefront this year, most recently in opposition to Energy Transfer Partners’ Dakota Access Pipeline, which will run oil from North Dakota to Illinois. Demonstrators camped out in opposition to the project for months on the Sioux Tribe’s Standing Rock reservation and were ordered to evacuate last week by North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple.

Protests also derailed the National Energy Board’s hearings for TransCanada Corp’s proposed Energy East pipeline in August. The Montreal hearings were suspended after demonstrators stormed the conference. The NEB subsequently replaced its review board in light of conflict of interest complaints.

- mod edit to include link -

 

[Old Sweat]

Could FJAG or OGBD offer an opinion here? It seems to me that maintenance of public security is a provincial responsibility and the CAF are only called upon when provincial or territorial law enforcement resources are unable to maintain order. There may be a case for support to other government departments, but the Commissioner of the RCMP has a key role in determining the response requested.

I am a few amendments to the NDA behind since I retired, but this statement by the Natural Resources Minister bothers me.

 

[FSTO]

It's called Aid to Civil Power. The Province has to make the request.
The Natural Resources Minister is talking out of his butt.

 

[Old Sweat]

It's called Aid to Civil Power. The Province has to make the request.
The Natural Resources Minister is talking out of his butt.

That's my understanding of Aid of the Civil Power, which is why the minister's statement bothered me.

 

[a_majoor]

If I remember correctly, the request for military assistance comes from the Provincial Attorney General's office, and the Minister of Defence makes the determination of what forces to send. (In theory, if the Minister is unwilling to support the Attorney General's request, he can send a military band in response, although in real life, I doubt such a public demonstration of power would be made).

While many people will probably accuse me of being an Amerophile, I am disturbed by this announcement because it really breaks many of the jurisdiction barriers between levels of government, and really makes some huge presumptions about Federal power. It also sets a bad precedent, since now people will be expecting a proactive response by the Government, and from one of the hardest pressed and overtasked departments (unless this is a clever way to not deploy 650 troops to chase unicorns in Mali. I rather doubt that the current GoC is that clever, however).

 

[Old Sweat]

Close in your assessment, but the CDS makes the determination of level and extent of response. Or he did, when I retired 22 years and one month ago.

 

[daftandbarmy]

This could be a crap sandwich



Canada may deploy defence forces if pipeline protests aren't peaceful: Natural resources minister



Shane McNeil, BNN.ca Staff

  [:'(Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr says the federal government will call in reinforcements if Canadian pipeline protests get out of hand.

The federal government approved Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and Enbridge’s Line 3 replacement on Tuesday. Both projects have been hot button issues amid fears about their potential environmental impact.

Carr warned potential protesters on Thursday to keep any resistance to the projects non-violent.

“If people choose for their own reasons not to be peaceful, then the government of Canada – through its defence forces, through its police forces – will ensure that people are kept safe,” Carr said in Edmonton on Thursday.

“We have a history of peaceful dialogue and dissent in Canada. I’m certainly hopeful that that tradition will continue. If people determine for their own reasons that that is not the path they want to follow, then we live under the rule of law.”

Pipeline protests have come to the forefront this year, most recently in opposition to Energy Transfer Partners’ Dakota Access Pipeline, which will run oil from North Dakota to Illinois. Demonstrators camped out in opposition to the project for months on the Sioux Tribe’s Standing Rock reservation and were ordered to evacuate last week by North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple.

Protests also derailed the National Energy Board’s hearings for TransCanada Corp’s proposed Energy East pipeline in August. The Montreal hearings were suspended after demonstrators stormed the conference. The NEB subsequently replaced its review board in light of conflict of interest complaints.

I can see it now: Prince Justin, shirtless, mollifying the angry citizens with selfies from the back of his trusty unicorn.

I betcha that Jim Carr is going to get a new one torn for him by the PMO pretty fast....

 

[Blackadder1916]

While aid of the civil power can be authorized under the National Defence Act, what the possibly uninformed babblings of Minister Carr brought to mind was the Emergencies Act.  For those who can remember back that far, the Emergencies Act replaced the War Measures Act, and the last time that was used the PM was also a Trudeau.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

Incorrect Blackadder1916.

The last two times the Emergency measures act/War measures Act were invoked in Canada were the Oka crisis, under PM Mulroney, and then the Ice Storm emergency, under PM Chretien.

But in any event, it is simultaneously a simple and sophisticated piece of legislation. First of all, all policing/peace enforcement under these acts remains under the provincial control of the province that called for it at all time as this is a provincial responsibility.

On the other end, the CDS (but in reality the GG in council) decides what specific force to assign to respond to the provincial demand, and as such (and as pointed out, that could be a military band  ;D ) retains some form of federal control by way of what he/she makes available, over the political aspect of what is demanded by the province. If the CDS feels the province is waaaayyyyy over reacting, he can curtail assistance accordingly.

The retention of provincial control over the military force so assigned, on the other hand, means that the federal government cannot be implicated in the use of force by that province. This was important in the October crisis because, try as they may, the PQ and other nationalist forces in Quebec, for instance, could not get anywhere with the "federal jackboot" argument they were trying to build in their narrative of the event. 

 

[The Bread Guy]

I can see it now: Prince Justin, shirtless, mollifying the angry citizens with selfies from the back of his trusty unicorn.

Just Watch Me 2.0?  Not bloody likely - mostly for the reasons mentioned upthread, as well as the fact that the son ain't the father.  Also, how badly would things have to go for the feds to be called in?

I betcha that Jim Carr is going to get a new one torn for him by the PMO pretty fast....

:nod:  Especially when we start to hear from other players in this situation.

 

[Remius]

If I remember correctly, the request for military assistance comes from the Provincial Attorney General's office, and the Minister of Defence makes the determination of what forces to send. (In theory, if the Minister is unwilling to support the Attorney General's request, he can send a military band in response, although in real life, I doubt such a public demonstration of power would be made).

While many people will probably accuse me of being an Amerophile, I am disturbed by this announcement because it really breaks many of the jurisdiction barriers between levels of government, and really makes some huge presumptions about Federal power. It also sets a bad precedent, since now people will be expecting a proactive response by the Government, and from one of the hardest pressed and overtasked departments (unless this is a clever way to not deploy 650 troops to chase unicorns in Mali. I rather doubt that the current GoC is that clever, however).

Can the Federal Government though not call on the military in areas that they are responsible for though?  Pipelines crossing provincial and international boundaries for example would be under Federal jurisdiction.  And while maybe not deployed under aid to civil power/authority umbrella, could they not be deployed as security?  A sort of BDF type thing that would not necessitate the province asking for assistance? 

 

[RedcapCrusader]

Incorrect Blackadder1916.

The last two times the Emergency measures act/War measures Act were invoked in Canada were the Oka crisis, under PM Mulroney, and then the Ice Storm emergency, under PM Chretien.

But in any event, it is simultaneously a simple and sophisticated piece of legislation. First of all, all policing/peace enforcement under these acts remains under the provincial control of the province that called for it at all time as this is a provincial responsibility.

On the other end, the CDS (but in reality the GG in council) decides what specific force to assign to respond to the provincial demand, and as such (and as pointed out, that could be a military band  ;D ) retains some form of federal control by way of what he/she makes available, over the political aspect of what is demanded by the province. If the CDS feels the province is waaaayyyyy over reacting, he can curtail assistance accordingly.

The retention of provincial control over the military force so assigned, on the other hand, means that the federal government cannot be implicated in the use of force by that province. This was important in the October crisis because, try as they may, the PQ and other nationalist forces in Quebec, for instance, could not get anywhere with the "federal jackboot" argument they were trying to build in their narrative of the event.

Negative.

The Oka Crisis and the 1998 Ice Storms required and obtained mobilisation of Armed Forces personnel through "Aid of the Civil Power" request pursuant to NDA Section 275 by the respective Provincial Governments (Quebec and Ontario).

The Emergencies Act and the former War Measures Act have not been used since the October Crisis (FLQ).

Both failed to meet the criteria of activating the Emergencies Act; the over broadness of the EA was deemed to be excessive in both instances.

 

[RedcapCrusader]

Can the Federal Government though not call on the military in areas that they are responsible for though?  Pipelines crossing provincial and international boundaries for example would be under Federal jurisdiction.  And while maybe not deployed under aid to civil power/authority umbrella, could they not be deployed as security?  A sort of BDF type thing that would not necessitate the province asking for assistance?

Considering that pipelines are owned and operated by private companies and not the federal government, using the military to provide security would be seen as inappropriate.

Pipelines have and are more than welcome to hire their own security personnel. However, if you want armed security... I don't know of any exemptions for pipelines like there is for cash, prescious stones (diamonds), organs, and sensitive technology.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

My office was in lockdown just prior to and after the announcement. Nothing has really materialized yet, likely due to the crap weather. The real fun will be when work approaches Vancouver, the OT bill for the cops will be very high this coming year. The Municipalities will not want to shoulder it or have resources taken off the street to cover the protests. Normally a liner project is being worked upon at many sites along the route at once, but Kinder Morgan might have to limit the number of sites in order that the police can provide coverage. Now it will get interesting if the proponent hires a First Nation band to provide security...... 

 

[The Bread Guy]

Can the Federal Government though not call on the military in areas that they are responsible for though?  Pipelines crossing provincial and international boundaries for example would be under Federal jurisdiction.  And while maybe not deployed under aid to civil power/authority umbrella, could they not be deployed as security?  A sort of BDF type thing that would not necessitate the province asking for assistance?

As someone who used to be employed in a federally-regulated industry, I'm thinking federal jurisdiction over a site =/= federal responsibility.  If that was the case, RCMP would be patrolling all railway lines.  I stand to be corrected, but local (muni/prov) would still be responsible for policing/security, no?  For example, if I committed a crime in my federally-regulated workplace, they'd call the local police, not the RCMP.  In which case they get to ask for help if they don't have enough resources to keep the peace.

 

[NavyShooter]

Job growth opportunity.

We currently have CN Rail Police.  (One live down the street from me.) 

How about Pipeline police.  They're the people that will protect the laying of pipe.....lines.

Setup a whole new department, build jobs/empires/etc.  Someone is probably already thinking about this in a cubicle somewhere in Ottawa.

 

[mariomike]

How about Pipeline police. 

How about Special Constables?

eg: "At the request of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and with the approval of the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, the Toronto Police Services Board (the Board) has designated Transit Enforcement members responsible for law enforcement and security as Special Constables."

Special Constables in Ontario employed by Police Services, such as court security officers, prisoner transport officers, cell block officers and snowmobile trail patrol officers, are sworn-in pursuant to section 53 of the Police Services Act which confers peace officer status. Special Constables have the powers of a police officer to enforce Federal Statutes and various Provincial Statutes while in the execution of their specifically appointed duties throughout Ontario. Special Constables are also utilized at many Ontario universities to provide a hybrid police-security service to their respective communities.

Special constables in Canada,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_constable#Canada

 

[Old Sweat]

Can the Federal Government though not call on the military in areas that they are responsible for though?  Pipelines crossing provincial and international boundaries for example would be under Federal jurisdiction.  And while maybe not deployed under aid to civil power/authority umbrella, could they not be deployed as security?  A sort of BDF type thing that would not necessitate the province asking for assistance?

A BDF-type scenario would not apply, as that force is deployed to supplement MPs in protecting a CAF installation. Maybe somebody can dream up a vital point protection scenario, but that requires some specific government action. The CAF must only be used in a law enforcement role as a force of last resort when all other resources are exhausted or proven to be inadequate.

There are other roles that CAF elements might provide such as airlift or aerial reconnaissance, administrative support or whatever.

 

[Journeyman]

On the other end, the CDS ...decides what specific force to assign to respond to the provincial demand, and as such (and as pointed out, that could be a military band  ;D ).....

And with the MOSID for military bands being split, there would have to be a decision on which band -- a brass band playing soothing Paul Anka and Céline Dion songs.... or the more offensive and threatening sort -- bagpipes! 

 

[George Wallace]

Setup a whole new department, build jobs/empires/etc.  Someone is probably already thinking about this in a cubicle somewhere in Ottawa.

Well.....Where the wife works, they have run out of cubicles.  Contractors have to work in the hallways.  Due to Government funding and hiring practices, Contractors outnumber Public Servants in many areas.  This means that the Good Idea Faerie would likely have to dream up a method of creating more cubicles into which to place Contractors to develop such an Empire.