Three individuals, including a Wet’suwet’en leader, were handed suspended jail terms and community service for violating an injunction related to obstructing work on the Coastal GasLink pipeline. B.C. Supreme Court Justice Michael Tammen referred to the suspended sentences as a form of judicial clemency, emphasizing the importance of promoting reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
Sleydo’, also known as Molly Wickham, Shaylynn Sampson, and Corey Jocko were convicted of criminal contempt in January 2024 for their involvement in a blockade on Wet’suwet’en traditional territory. The trio breached a 2019 injunction against impeding the Coastal GasLink pipeline project, leading to their arrests in November 2021.
Justice Tammen imposed net sentences of 17 days for Sleydo’, 12 days for Jocko, and 9 days for Sampson, with the condition that the jail time will only be served if there are further violations within the next year. Additionally, each individual is required to complete 150 hours of community service.
While the Crown advocated for incarceration to uphold the rule of law and discourage similar actions, the defense argued for credit for time served, highlighting concerns about the integrity of the court system. The sentencing considered various factors, including the impact of social media posts, risks posed to workers and law enforcement, and the historical context of Indigenous rights.
The defense stressed the importance of acknowledging historical injustices, such as the lack of meaningful implementation of agreements with Indigenous communities. Justice Tammen recognized these unique circumstances and aimed to balance accountability with an opportunity for reconciliation. The blockade temporarily delayed the pipeline’s construction, but it did not prevent its eventual completion, allowing natural gas export operations to commence.
