‘I believe it’s draconian’: Protestors rally against Bill C-39 outside Kamloops MP Caputo’s office

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The rally was part of a national day of action and attendees in Kamloops are calling on MP Caputo, a member of the opposition Conservative Party, to vote against the bill, which has the ability to fast-track major infrastructure projects deemed to be in the national interest.

The bill has drawn opposition from labour unions, environmental groups and Indigenous leaders.

“Mark Carney should be ashamed of what he has brought forth,” Johnson added. “I believed he was an environmentalist and I’m very very disappointed in what has transpired.”

Bill C-39 passed second reading on Oct. 8 and it’s making its way through the committee stage in the House of Commons. It’s also undergoing a pre-study and legislative review at the Senate, but critics want the process to be slowed down so impacts to current and future generations can be understood.

“I very much believe in the future of young people, and young people getting involved in climate protests and union protests,” Amanda MacKenzie, a TRU student and rally attendee, said. “I believe in standing in solidarity together and when there is something that a group comes out that you believe in, you have got to come out and support.”

“It’s about time Canadians stood up and protested something that is not right,” added Johnson.

Online records show Caputo was not present for the vote on second reading, but other area MPs – Mel Arnold (Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies), Dan Albas (Okanagan Lake West-South Kelowna) and Scott Anderson (Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee) – all voted in favour.

Caputo was not present at his Kamloops office Thursday, and organizers say they’ll be contacting him to share their concerns directly as they play to keep pressure up on government.

“We’ll keep protesting until this bill is shot down or radically revised,” Johnson said. “We’re not giving up [because] there is so much at stake. Our natural resources, our water, our air quality, it’s all at stake so we can’t afford to stop protesting.”