Protesters occupying Marine Harvest´s farm. (Photo: Alexandra Morton)

Supreme Court orders protesters out of Marine Harvest’s farm

British Columbia Supreme Court has authorised an adjournment of Marine Harvest Canada's application for an injunction, to allow the defence to prepare its response and has ordered protesters occupying the firm’s Midsummer aquaculture site, located off the east coast of Vancouver Island, to leave the place.

The order states that “If persons re-occupy the Midsummer Site, the Plaintiff may reset its application for hearing upon 36 hours’ notice.”

The protesters have until Friday November 17, 2017, to remove all tents and structures from the private worksite.

Marine Harvest’s application for injunction comes after the company’s repeated efforts to seek dialogue with local First Nation leaders for a safe and peaceful resolution to protest, and after multiple requests that activists not enter the private worksite.

The dispute surrounds the Provincial Government tenure renewal applications, due June 2018, for several of the company’s farm sites.

Marine Harvest stated it had delayed its business operations to accommodate the safety of protesters, and to allow for dialogue with local First Nation leaders.

“We are glad that even in the short term the courts have decided that our workplace should be free from harassment and intimidation and this is a positive step for our employees,” said Ian Roberts, Director of Public Affairs for Marine Harvest, adding he knows this decision will be welcomed by the company’s employees.

For his part, the firm’s Managing Director Vincent Erenst claimed: “First Nation leadership have made it clear to us that their issue is primarily about indigenous rights and title. This important government to government discussion needs to occur so our business and many other businesses in the Province have clarity about this process.” 

“We remain very willing to find compromise that may lead to short-term and long-term solutions,” he added.

 Related articles:

- Marine Harvest keeps restocking farm amid aboriginal people’s protests
- First Nations and environmentalists protest against salmon farming in BC

 
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