ABSTRACT
Founded in Vancouver in 1971, Greenpeace’s use of Obstructive Direct Action regarding nuclear and animal rights issues had a major global impact in the decades that followed. Despite this, Canada’s first major wave of environmental blockading aimed at forestry, mining and other forms of development started later than in Australia and the United States. This chapter analyses campaigns in Canada that began to establish environmental blockading during 1984 and 1985, including those in Clayoquot Sound, Lake Wollaston, Haida G’Waii, Saanichton Bay, and Kitwanga.
A number of key differences, both within Canadian campaigns and with trends in environmental blockading in Australia and the United States, are explored. These are related to the political and economic context of forestry and resource extraction in Canada, an emphasis on civil law in dealing with blockades, and historical precedents for blockading amongst First Nations. Due to the extent of Indigenous community involvement and leadership in Canadian campaigns, the chapter pays particular attention to confluence and conflict with non-Indigenous environmentalists regarding campaign goals, understandings of biodiverse places, tactical development, and other issues.
