The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday edition that a 22-page RCMP report
argues there is a "growing criminal
phenomenon" associated
with environmentalists opposed to energy development.
The Globe's Shawn McCarthy writes that the report was written in March,
2011. It was made public recently through an Access to Information request. The RCMP has faced formal
complaints that it conducted surveillance
on environmental
groups that oppose construction
of Enbridge's Northern Gateway
pipeline.
The Globe notes that neither
first nation leaders nor environmental
groups have advocated
violence.
The RCMP report says the Canadian
Security Intelligence Agency
monitors individuals and
organizations that might be
involved in domestic terrorism,
"including the threat or use of
violence by groups advocating for
issues such as the environment."
Carleton University criminologist
Jeff Monaghan claims the report's authors
constructed a trend from
isolated incidents in an effort to justify broadening their investigation
and monitoring of groups
who oppose development.
The RCMP denies it is targeting protesters
or environmental groups in
general, claiming it only investigates criminal activity.
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