Today, the Supreme Court of British Columbia granted Tsawak-qin Forestry Limited Partnership’s (C̕awak ʔqin Forestry) application for an interim injunction that prohibits anyone from interfering with, or blocking access to, the permitted harvest area and any road within the injunction area.

We request that the defendants, blockaders, and anyone having knowledge of this order, please adhere to the Court’s decision and the terms of the interim injunction, allow access to the roads and end all interference with C̕awak ʔqin Forestry’s operations so that they may safely proceed. 

While it is disheartening that it was necessary to take this route, the blockaders were asked on multiple occasions to leave their blockade, including by Pacheedaht First Nation, but refused to do so. 

C̕awak ʔqin Forestry remains committed to its sustainability and stewardship initiatives that integrate cultural and ecological priorities, including the protection of culturally significant trees, support for traditional bark harvesting and respect for Indigenous knowledge. Moreover, harvesting activities undertaken by C̕awak ʔqin Forestry are conducted in compliance with provincial regulations and best practices, including our measures to protect tall trees. 

C̕awak ʔqin Forestry respects the rights and perspectives of local First Nations in the management of these lands and will continue to collaborate with all Nations whose territories overlap TFL 44, including Pacheedaht First Nation. 

If the blockaders do not comply with the injunction, the RCMP has been authorized by the Court to enforce its terms.

The court-ordered injunction can be found here.