Noront Resources

I couldn't believe the comments coming from a Superior Court Judge. Completely inappropriate.

Without accountability and applied consequences to criminal actions...a bad example is set and the bad behaviours will continue.

http://www.timminspress.com/2013/02/25/judge-cautions-de-beers-about-suing-blockaders

Judge cautions De Beers about suing blockaders

By Ron Grech, The Daily Press (Timmins)
Monday, February 25, 2013 8:31:54 EST PM

DeBeers Victor diamond mine around Attawapiskat First Nations

TIMMINS - A Timmins judge urged De Beers Canada Monday to give careful consideration before launching into any lawsuits against the demonstrators who blockaded the ice road leading to the Victor diamond mine.
“I would think twice about that,” Superior Court Judge Robert Riopelle told De Beers lawyer Neal Smitheman when asked about opportunities to determine costs and file an application to sue for damages. “I think relationships between you and community members are very good probably right now but it may sour somewhat if you do something like that.”
Despite the peaceful resolution to the blockade reached Friday night, Smitheman said it may be impossible for De Beers to deliver all the fuel, equipment and supplies it needs for the year before the ice road begins to melt.
De Beers typically requires 30 days to truck all of its supplies within a 45-day period when the ice road is operational.
However, as a result of two separate blockades, De Beers has lost nearly three weeks to get the job done.
During a teleconference meeting that was held in open court Monday, Smitheman enquired about making written submissions to the court about costs to the company as a result of the blockade.
“If you still want to go ahead with that,” Riopelle said with a note of reservation, “bring your motion within the next 30 days, co-ordinate it with the trial co-ordinator to make sure we have a day and time for it” then make sure all the defendants are served with the notice in person.
When Riopelle suggested De Beers may want to “think twice” about proceeding with the lawsuit, Smitheman replied, “I hear your message loud and clear, your honour. So, I will seek firm instructions with respect whether or not we are going to proceed with costs.”
Smitheman suggested as an alternative, the company may consider establishing the costs and then seeking damages “if and when it becomes necessary” – if another blockade arises within the next few weeks that the ice road is still open.
The judge was the only involved member of the discussion who was actually in court for the discussion.
The blockade members and the lawyers for De Beers and the Ontario Provincial Police participated by teleconference.
Chris Diana, the lawyer for the OPP, reaffirmed what everyone already knew, that the barricades had been removed and the police were patrolling the road to ensure there were no obstructions.
He told the court those partrols would continue until as long as the ice road was still in operation.
He said the peaceful end to the blockade proved the success of the OPP’s approach to dealing with these kinds of conflicts which engages the use of liaison teams to negotiate a resolution.
At the previous court hearing on Friday, Riopelle had ordered the parties reconvene on Monday to provide him with an update on what was then an ongoing blockade.