Dozens of supporters of the Wet’suwet’en nation in British Columbia gathered in Montreal on Thursday outside the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), to denounce its funding in the controversial Coastal GasLink pipeline projects (CGL) and TransMountain (TMX).
“Some invest in this bank without knowing that the RBC uses this money to build pipelines and that this incites violence in our territory. On our land, our air, our water, our women, our men and our children,” said in an interview with The duty Chief Na’Moks, Tsayu Hereditary Chief of the Wet’suwet’en Nation.
He has been in Quebec since last weekend to raise public awareness of the repercussions of the 670 km gas pipeline project on the territorial rights of his community and to denounce the actions of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), whose officers made several tough arrests that made headlines. “It must be known worldwide that the RBC is putting money into all this violence and that it contributes to climate change”, insisted Chief Na’Moks.
His attempt to meet with representatives of the RBC during his visit to Montreal ended in a refusal, he also said. “They absolutely refused, and it’s not the first time,” he said.
Greenpeace Canada and Amnesty International Canada also helped organize the rally. “RBC is the worst Canadian bank when it comes to investing in fossil fuels,” he said in an interview with To have to Patrick Bonin, Climate-Energy Campaigner for Greenpeace Canada. “It ranks fifth in the world in this type of investment since the signing of the Paris Agreement. That’s $200 billion,” he added.
Several police cars were on site at the rally, the atmosphere of which was calm and peaceful, and officers were stationed at the entrance to Place Ville-Marie. “I am the best protected man in Canada, the agents follow me everywhere”, launched, ironically, Chief Na’Moks during his speech.
For Mélissa Mollen-Dupuis, Innu activist, also present at the rally and who met Chief Na’Moks on Thursday, her presence is a way for communities in Quebec to support their struggle and build bridges. “He brings a perspective that is sometimes ignored on the east coast because of the francophone reality,” she thinks. I can try to carry their message as a Francophone indigenous woman, because these are realities that affect us too”.
In a written statement sent to the To have to Early Thursday evening, RBC said it believes “climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time and everyone has a role to play.” “We actively support an inclusive transition, and we do this by funding innovative, responsible and renewable projects to ensure that we can meet the energy needs of our world in the future,” it adds. “RBC respects the right of individuals to have their voices heard on important issues that affect us all, and to do so in a peaceful manner.”