I think it's an important point of clarification regarding responsibility. First of all, lawful and peaceful protests take place every day in this country. Canadians have, under the Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the right to engage in lawful and peaceful protest. In every case, it is the responsibility of the police jurisdiction to police that event and to facilitate that lawful and peaceful protest, and also to maintain public order and ensure that the rule of law and public safety are maintained.
I was aware of the police jurisdiction, because it was a publicly announced event, but I don't believe, Mr. Fortin, that the police had a full appreciation of its nature. This wasn't just a protest, with great respect, but a blockade. It was an encampment, and it was fortified by these big trucks. When they came, in my conversations with the police forces, this did not meet their expectations of what was going to transpire. They were prepared to police a protest, but this evolved very quickly into something more than a protest. It became an occupation.