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B.C. Court Grants Injunction to Halt Walbran Valley Old‑Growth Blockade

The decision affirms Tsawak‑qin Forestry’s right of access on Pacheedaht territory.

Overview

  • B.C. Supreme Court Justice Amy Francis granted an injunction sought by Tsawak‑qin Forestry to stop a blockade that began Aug. 25 near Port Renfrew.
  • The judge found protesters were highly organized and had illegally obstructed a forest service road with structures, including a large wooden sculpture.
  • Justice Francis said the court would not weigh the wisdom of government forestry policy when deciding whether to issue the injunction.
  • Tsawak‑qin is co‑owned by Western Forest Products and the Huu‑ay‑aht First Nations, and Pacheedaht leadership had urged the blockaders to leave, calling forestry a cornerstone of its economy.
  • Pacheedaht elder Bill Jones, named in the lawsuit, has filed a separate Federal Court challenge, and his lawyer argues injunction law should give greater weight to ecological and cultural harms.