The Supreme Court has granted an injunction to stop protesters from blocking access to Confederation Building.
That should allow the budget, which was postponed today, to be brought down on Thursday, or when it’s safe to do so, according to Premier Andrew Furey.
He expressed his dismay and disgust at some of the behaviour shown during protests at Confederation Building today.
Furey told reporters that he is “profoundly disappointed…that the behavior of a few could take over and jeopardize a budget that is for the entire province.” He says “they have entirely the democratic right to peaceful protest…what is unacceptable is violent protests, and so some of the behaviours we saw today will not be tolerated, by me, or by government.”
The application by government lawyers was prepared and filed quickly late this morning to prevent protesters “from causing a nuisance by intimidating, threatening or assaulting public employees thus preventing safe entry or exit to the building to carry out their public duties.”
The application was granted by Justice Robert Stack but all sides are due back in court Thursday morning to discuss next steps.
More than a thousand fish harvesters and their supporters converged on Confederation Building early this morning, seeking to disrupt plans on what was supposed to be Budget Day in the province.
But the formal delivery of the document has since been delayed due to the blockade, with government saying the protest created “a threat of violence,” and an unsafe environment for employees and visitors to come and go.
The protest today is part of an ongoing dispute with government, primarily over the crab fishery.
Meanwhile, Jessica McCormack, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour, says she’s treating the protest as a picket line which means respecting the harvesters’ rights.
She says it’s about health and safety of people around Confederation Building but it’s also solidarity in the labour movement. They’re frustrated with things in the fishery and we won’t be crossing the picket line.
FFAW Secretary Treasurer Jason Spingle was asked about the injunction while speaking outside Confederation Building.
He says the injunction will develop, but stresses that they will be back tomorrow morning. He agrees with one harvester in the crowd, who says the injunction is against coastal communities and the people.
Meanwhile, Spingle says a protester and RNC officer were injured during an incident.
Admittedly, this is more exciting than seeing if the budget includes an appropriation to pay down the NL Hydro supply cost deferral account. pic.twitter.com/nxUcKcBzW5
— Alex Bill (@alexrobertbill) March 20, 2024
Video shared by various media outlets shows the mounted unit attempting to quell the protestors, who insist they were being peaceful. As one of the horses turned around, one person could be seen smacking the backside of the animal.
Spingle says it looks as though the harvester suffered a broken hip, though he hasn’t been given an official report. He says the man is in hospital with family by his side.
The RNC confirms that an officer was injured, but couldn’t comment on the protester.
Opposition Leader Tony Wakeham pins the blame for the protest on the Furey Liberrals, saying government has led them astray by promising to do something, then do nothing.