Ron Plain, 51, spokesperson for the blockade in Sarnia in December and January, was ordered by Justice Bruce G. Thomas of Ontario Superior Court to pay the money because he defied an injunction to stop blocking the line.
The route serves industries in the local “Chemical Valley” complex of oil refineries and chemical plants.
Members of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation set up the blockade in support of Chief Theresa Spence of Attawapiskat during her hunger strike to force a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper about aboriginal issues.
CN asked the court for $50,000 in damages, while Plain’s lawyer, Peter Rosenthal of Toronto, had argued that a fine of $1,000 would be more appropriate.
Jim Feeny, a spokesperson for CN in Montreal, said the company is “pleased the ruling underscores the principle that everyone must abide by the rule of law.”
He said CN will donate the court award to the native community in Sarnia. The judge’s decision noted that CN offered to give the money to its aboriginal scholarship program.
Though Plain said he would not comment on the court’s ruling until he had chance to speak with his lawyer, he said an online effort to raise money for his case “fell well short” of the $10,000 goal.
CN also called Sarnia’s police chief to court in January to explain why police didn’t force an end to the blockade as soon as the injunction was ordered. Chief Phil Nelson stated at the time that the police were working to negotiate a peaceful end to the blockade rather than forcing a confrontation with the protestors.
Plain called the protest a “huge victory” at the time.
“We have stood up and let Stephen Harper know that we are in full support of Chief Spence,” Plain said.
Original Article
Source: thestar.com
Author: Colin Graf
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