My husband and I were travelling in Germany last fall, a country that recognizes and reminds us of the horrors of Hitler, the Nazis and the Second World War. We took a few guided tours to historic sites, and it was heart-wrenching to think of the millions of lives lost in the camps, but also of the young soldiers who died on the battlefield fighting for our freedom and democracy. The post-war mantra was “never again.”
Historically speaking, we have short memories. In a little over 75 years, the democracy that was paid for with the blood of a past generation has evolved into a society that is disinterested in even voting for a government of their choice.
Globally, autocrats are in political vogue while racism, anti-Semitism and white supremacy are on the rise. Mob rule is seemingly replacing the rule of law here and everywhere. In Saskatchewan, we witness the mob mentality of the Unifor/Federated Co-op labour dispute. To be clear, I support any union’s right to picket and protest during a strike.
What is abhorrent is Unifor’s actions during the dispute. The union does not have the right to restrict the public’s access to the employer’s business through use of blockades or traffic restriction. Those who support the union’s position will not cross a picket line, and those who do not support the job action may cross the line. It is a choice any member of the public has the right to make.
During a strike, out-of-scope employees may necessarily have to attend the place of business. Non-union outside contractors may not feel the need to sacrifice their own business interests in support of the union’s interests, and members of the public who support the employer’s position should not be held hostage by the union.
When the union prevents individuals from exercising their choices by restricting access, destroying and damaging property of both the business and individuals opposed to them and ignoring court orders, it crosses the line from the legal right to picket and peacefully protest against their employer to promoting mob rule.
What is disconcerting is the law enforcement agencies who turn a blind eye to a breach of laws by a mob and do not act to enforce an order of the court. I do understand the rationale voiced by the police, who do not want to escalate a volatile situation, but our laws apply to all citizens and at some time, sooner rather than later, unlawful acts must be curtailed.
On the national scale, there is the ongoing dispute on the proposed pipeline which will cross Wet’suwet’en territory. The elected band council was negotiating a contract with a private-sector company to build the pipeline, and if reports are true, with the support of the majority of Wet’suwet’en people. Then the hereditary chiefs nixed the deal. I assumed a hereditary chief came by the title through lineage — much like a monarchy — until the three female hereditary chiefs who supported the band council were stripped of their titles. Suffice it to say, the framework of their governance structure is convoluted, and it will need to be up to the band members to sort it out. All of this is above my pay grade.
While the authority of council was still being determined, the court issued an injunction order in support of the Costal GasLink pipeline, which the federal government supported. Notwithstanding this fact, the We’suwet’en oppositionists continued to prevent the pipeline from proceeding. While it is understandable that the hereditary chiefs are blocking the pipeline in their territory until such time as their governance issues are settled, I’m not sure how the blocking of the railways came to be.
Clearly, the blockage of the railway system is illegal. Suddenly, not just Indigenous people were putting up barricades, but non-Indigenous people joined with them to curtail the movement of goods across the country, putting lives and private property at risk. Railway barricades were springing up at various places in different provinces in support of the position of the hereditary chiefs. The result is that thousands of Canadians are being laid off, goods cannot be not be transported, and supply shortages will prevail.
What does the rail transportation system have to do with the governance dispute within the We’suwet’en community?
Simply put, it is a way to hold the federal government hostage to the demands of the hereditary chiefs. While the RCMP tried to remove the barricades and protesters from railway sites, the federal government danced around the issue.
Let’s talk more about it, says the government. But talk is cheap when compared to the impact on the national economy and the public. Most recently as of press time, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau finally took a tough stance on removing the blockages. If you or I tried to pull these stunts in our neighbourhoods, the barricades would come down and we would be arrested. This is not simply about environmental concerns, climate change, renewable energy and the rights of Indigenous people. It is an issue of mob rule.
Outside First Nation territories, unless those responsible for these activities are held to account for their actions, the law of the land is in question. If an individual or a group of people think a law is wrong, use the court system and/or lobby the governments lawmakers to change the law. Better yet, run for public office and work from within for change, or work for and support a candidate who is likeminded. But you do not get to say, “I don’t like this law, so I’m not going to obey it.”
Given the environmental damage stemming from accidents resulting from overland transport of gas and oil, underground piping seems to be a reasonable option. In the long term, we should be looking to alternative forms of energy and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels; but until the goal of sustainable energy is met, we need those fuels to heat our homes. And I am willing to bet the protesters live in spaces heated by natural gas or propane.
If we don’t get a handle on this now, forget about elected governments, laws and democracy. Be prepared to defend yourself against a mob because eventually it will be on
your doorstep.
-Elaine Hnatyshyn