Victoria Police have refuted claims from the Conservative Party of B.C. that their chief blamed Crown prosecutors for the lack of arrests at disruptive anti-Israel protests. The party alleged that in a private meeting, the Police Chief attributed the reluctance to make arrests to the unwillingness of Crown prosecutors to proceed with charges. However, the police department denies this claim, calling it a misunderstanding. They emphasized that they respect everyone’s right to freedom of expression and lawful assembly, in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Disruptive pro-Palestine protests have been occurring in Victoria for months, with incidents like protesters blocking the entrance to Lockheed Martin’s offices. Similar protests in Toronto have led to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s event being cancelled after protesters blocked the doors to the Art Gallery of Ontario. Critics have questioned the lack of police action in response to these events, raising concerns about public safety and the enforcement of the law.
The social media post by the Conservative Party also referenced B.C. NDP caucus member Selina Robinson’s resignation letter, where she cited anti-Semitism in the caucus as her reason for leaving. Robinson expressed disappointment in the lack of support for the Jewish community following a Hamas attack, feeling abandoned by her colleagues. Despite her resignation, Premier David Eby stated that he supports all caucus members and disagreed with Robinson’s characterization of the caucus. The Premier called the situation “humbling” but emphasized his commitment to supporting all members.