Critical Infrastructure Defence Act

The Critical Infrastructure Defence Act (Bill 1)[1] (the Act), is a bill in Alberta, Canada introduced into the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on February 25, 2020. It received royal assent and was passed into law on June 17, 2020[2]. The bill seeks to legally define infrastructure and create offences and penalties for those who enter, destroy, or obstruct infrastructure. The bill has drawn criticism for targeting Indigenous groups and some believe that it violates aspects of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Background

The bill was created in response to the 2020 Canadian pipeline and railway protests.[3][4] Protesters of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation objected to the construction of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline (CGL) through 190 kilometres (120 mi) of their unceded traditional territory in British Columbia. Protesters blocked construction of the pipeline, preventing workers from accessing parts of the site. On February 6, 2020, RCMP officers charged with enforcing a court ordered injunction arrested those blocking construction. In February through March 2020 solidarity protests sprang up all over the country and included blockades of a port in Vancouver, a rail line in Ontario, and commuter trails in Quebec. Instances of roads and/or bridges being blocked occurred in Calgary, Winnipeg, and Regina. [5]

Solidarity protests occurred in both Calgary and Edmonton, including a rail blockade in Edmonton. In Calgary, approximately 200 protesters marched from TransCanada Tower in downtown Calgary to Reconciliation Bridge on February 10, 2020. They blocked traffic for 2 hours at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Edmonton Trail, before returning to the bridge at police's request. Protesters later marched from the bridge to city hall late Monday afternoon. Protesters connected with police prior to the protest and it was a peaceful event. No arrests were made. [6][7] In Edmonton, approximately 60 protesters marched along Jasper Avenue and 109th Street Friday on February 14, 2020. Police asked motorists to avoid the area if possible. One protester was taken into custody for allegedly blocking traffic, but was later released with no charges.[8] In Edmonton on February 19, 2020, approximately 20 protesters set up a blockade along a CN rail line for around 12 hours before about 30 counter-protesters dismantled it. Protesters and counter-protesters argued, but there was no violence. Eastbound and westbound cars carrying perishables, industrial products and flammable products were stopped. According to an affidavit signed by superintendent of network operations Jason Hilmanowski on behalf of CN, the impact of the blockade was “severe” and would compound every hour the line was blocked, since it would take several days to deal with the backlog of goods created for customers. CN’s lawyer Adrian Elmslie argued that the Edmonton blockade is a serious safety issue, creating a situation in which dangerous goods can be improperly stored. CN was granted a 30-day injunction against the protesters.[9]

Nation wide blockades and rail delays were said to have had a negative impact on Albertan industries, including economic losses in both agriculture and propane.[10]

On February 25, 2020, Bill 1 was introduced by Premier of Alberta Jason Kenny.

"In recent weeks we have seen lawlessness jeopardize the Canadian economy, leading to the loss of tens of thousands of jobs here in Alberta and across the Dominion. [...]this is making a mockery of the principle of the rule of law, one of the foundational principles of our democratic life together. Therefore, the government tables this legislation to strengthen penalties against those who would lawlessly trespass or jeopardize public safety by seeking to block critical public infrastructure, including roadways, railways, and other important infrastructure. This reinforces public safety. It increases the dissuasive effect of law against those who would seek to hold us all jeopardy to their radical demands." [11] — Jason Kenny, Premier of Alberta

The premier said of the bill: “The right to protest does not include being able to prevent your neighbours from getting to work and putting food on the table, or threatening their security. Albertans expect their government to deal with lawlessness and stand up for the values that all law-abiding citizens share. This government is doing just that.”[4] Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Doug Schweitzer echoed these sentiments:

“Over the last number of weeks, Albertans have witnessed the level of economic damage that a small group of lawbreakers can cause through blockades and other illegal protests. Our government will not stand idly by and allow Alberta to be an economic hostage to illegal activity now or ever. The Critical Infrastructure and Defence Act will help protect our way of life by ensuring the rule of law is upheld and the infrastructure that is critical to our province’s economy can continue to operate.” [4]

Bill contents

According to the government of Alberta, the bill was introduced "to protect essential infrastructure from damage or interference caused by blockades, protests or similar activities"[1]. The bill: defines essential infrastructure, lists activities regarding essential infrastructure that are prohibited, and introduces penalties for violating any of the prohibited activities.

The bill's definition of "essential infrastructure" includes:

  • pipelines and related infrastructure
  • oil and gas production and refinery sites
  • utilities (electric, gas, and water)
  • telecommunication lines, towers, and equipment
  • highways
  • railways
  • mines

The bill also "allow[s] regulations to expand the definition of essential infrastructure in the future if necessary" [12]

Prohibited activities

Under the bill, individuals (without lawful right, justification or excuse) are prohibited from:

  • entering any essential infrastructure
  • damaging or destroying any essential infrastructure
  • obstructing, interrupting or interfering with the construction, maintenance, use or operation of any essential infrastructure in a manner that renders the essential infrastructure dangerous, useless, inoperative or ineffective
  • aiding, counselling, or directing another person to commit an offence under the Act (whether or not the other person actually commits the offence)
  • gaining permission to enter an infrastructure under false pretenses [13][1]

Penalties

Individuals prosecuted under this bill would be subject to penalties. The penalties are as follows:

  • For a first offence: "a fine not less than $1000 and not exceeding $10 000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both a fine and imprisonment".
  • Second or subsequent offence in relation to the same premise: "a fine not less than $1000 and not exceeding $25 000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both a fine and imprisonment"
  • For Corporations: "a fine not less than $10 000 and not exceeding $200 000"

Significant provisions:

  • "Each day that a contravention continues constitutes a separate offence."
  • "A peace officer may arrest, without warrant, any person the peace officer finds contravening [the Act]." [14]

Criticism

Indigenous concerns

The law is a direct response to the Wet'suwet'en protests.[3][4] Many view it as a racially targeted law that violates indigenous rights. Arthur Noskey, Grand Chief of the Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta, called the bill "racialized" and believes that it will aggravate tensions between police and Indigenous people and provide justification for the arrest and brutalization of indigenous people.[15] Assembly of First Nations Alberta regional chief, Marlene Poitras, is concerned that many indigenous people would not be able to afford the steep fines associated with Bill 1 violations, and many could end up being jailed. She is concerned that the bill will serve to exacerbate the issue of already high incarceration rates among indigenous Canadians.[16] Constitutional and Indigenous rights lawyer and leader of the Alberta Liberal Party, David Khan, said that new law could interfere with Indigenous Peoples' rights to hunt, fish or gather on traditional land.[3]

Potential Charter violations and concerns over the freedom to protest

A group of law professors from the University of Calgary who have analyzed Bill 1 argue that it violates five different aspects of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of association, the right to liberty, and the right to equality). [16]

Climate Justice Edmonton organizer Alison McIntosh is concerned that the bill could have a negative impact on grassroots protest movements in Alberta. President of the Alberta Federation of Labour, Gil McGowen, said the broadness of the law could allow the government to potentially shut down political demonstrations at the legislature or interfere with a strike picket line. McGowen said the federation will launch a constitutional challenge and called the legislation "fundamentally undemocratic."[3]

Constitutional and Indigenous rights lawyer and leader of the Alberta Liberal Party, David Khan, has been a vocal opponent of the bill. He has expressed that the bill "criminalizes Albertans' Charter rights of freedom of thought, belief, opinion [and] expression, peaceful assembly [and] association, whether expressing themselves or protesting on private or public land, including city streets & sidewalks." He believes the law to be unconstitutional in part because it is overly broad and not proportional. Khan has stated that because the definition of essential infrastructure is "incredibly broad", the bill "criminalizes peaceful public protests/marches down city streets". Khan has stated that if "Bill 1 becomes law anyone participating in (or even helping organize) peaceful freedom of assembly/speech protests/marches on city streets (even on sidewalks!) for any reason could be arrested and charged and face $25000 in fines or six months in jail". He calls the bill "political theatre", but notes that it has serious implications as "it will take years to challenge [bill 1] in our our courts–& meanwhile it puts a dangerous chill on Albertans' rights to express themselves & protest peacefully about important causes". Khan states that "existing laws (eg trespass laws) are more than sufficient to deal with protestors [sic] who get carried away or those who seek to take advantage of peaceful democratic protests to sow division & commit crimes". [17]

Constitutional challenge

On June 23, 2020, The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) filed a statement of claim against the Act at Alberta Court of Queen's Bench. The union argues that the act violates the rights of Albertans to peacefully protest and will hamper the union's ability to engage in collective bargaining, which includes the right to strike. AUPE president Guy Smith stated: "We will fight this all the way to the Supreme Court and we will defend any and all AUPE members or staff who are caught in the bill's crosshairs". [18] Smith further states that the law "is an attack on our freedom to take part in peaceful protests". Smith says "In the past month, we have pledged to stand in solidarity with Indigenous Albertans and Black Albertans and we have always stood hand-in-hand with our fellow workers across sectors". The union is concerned with the lack of clarity about what constitutes "critical infrastructure".[19]

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See also

References
  1. "Protecting Critical Infrastructure". February 25, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  2. "Bill 1: Critical Infrastructure Defence Act (Kenney)". Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  3. French, Janet (May 28, 2020). "Controversial bill targeting rail blockade protesters soon to be Alberta law". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  4. "Protecting infrastructure from illegal activity". Alberta.ca. February 25, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  5. D'Amore, Rachael (February 10, 2020). "Wet'suwet'en: Here's where solidarity protests are happening across Canada". Global News.
  6. Rieger, Sarah (February 11, 2020). "Calgarians rally on Reconciliation Bridge in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en land supporters". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
  7. Pearson, Heide (February 10, 2020). "Wet'suwet'en support rally blocks Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge". Global News.
  8. Labine, Jeff (February 15, 2020). "Wet'suwet'en supporters in Edmonton take to the streets, one taken into custody". The Edmonton Journal.
  9. Johnson; Wyton (February 20, 2020). "Counter-protesters break down rail blockade in west Edmonton as CN wins injunction against pipeline opponents". The Edmonton Journal.
  10. Bruch, Timm (February 14, 2020). "Alberta starting to feel impact of Wet'suwet'en protests". CTV News. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  11. "Alberta Hansard February 25th, 2020" (PDF). February 25, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  12. "Protecting critical infrastructure". Alberta.ca. Retrieved June 17, 2020. If passed, Bill 1 will: legally define essential infrastructure to include public and private infrastructure such as: pipelines and related infrastructure oil and gas production and refinery sites utilities (electric, gas, and water) telecommunication lines, towers, and equipment highways railways mines allow regulations to expand the definition of essential infrastructure in the future if necessary.
  13. "Bill 1 Critical Infrastructure Defence Act" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Prohibitions 2(1) No person shall, without lawful right, justification or excuse, wilfully enter on any essential infrastructure. (2) No person shall, without lawful right, justification or excuse, wilfully damage or destroy any essential infrastructure. (3) No person shall, without lawful right, justification or excuse, wilfully obstruct, interrupt or interfere with the construction, maintenance, use or operation of any essential infrastructure in a manner that renders the essential infrastructure dangerous, useless, inoperative or ineffective. (4) No person shall aid, counsel or direct another person to commit an offence under subsection (1), (2) or (3), whether or not the other person actually commits the offence. (5) A person who enters on any essential infrastructure, having obtained by false pretences permission to enter on the essential infrastructure from the owner or an authorized representative of the owner, is deemed to have contravened subsection (1) unless the person had a lawful right, justification or excuse to enter on the essential infrastructure.
  14. "Bill 1 Critical Infrastructure Defence Act" (PDF). The Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  15. Morin, Brandi (June 11, 2020). "Alberta's Bill 1 Is 'Racially Targeted': First Nations Leaders". Huffpost. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  16. Macvicar, Adam (June 11, 2020). "University of Calgary law professors call critical infrastructure bill unconstitutional". Global News. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  17. Khan, David (June 3, 2020). "Twitter". Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  18. Bellefontaine, Michelle (June 23, 2020). "AUPE files constitutional challenge of Alberta's Critical Infrastructure Defence Act". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  19. Ramsey, Caley (June 23, 2020). "Alberta Union of Provincial Employees launches constitutional challenge against controversial blockade bill". Global News. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
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