Alberta’s top cop upset over tactics by Idle No More

Idle No More appears to have gotten under the skin of Alberta’s top cop who says he’s “pissed off.”

Wednesday’s blockade of the QE2 at the entrance to Edmonton has crossed a line for Jonathan Denis.

The Calgary MLA and Justice Minister says protestors should be able to make their point on the side of the road without jeopardizing anyone’s safety.

He tells 660News if he had been one of those stuck in traffic, he’d have been “pissed off too.”

Denis fears actions like these could lead to rioting and plans to meet with the chiefs of police from Calgary, Edmonton and the RCMP to discuss a plan of action.

He says his office has received several calls from Albertans who want the protests shut down but adds he has to make one thing clear, that’s up to the police.

They’ll sit down face to face Monday to discuss the handling of blockades, ahead of a vow from protestors to shut down Highway 63.

A lawyer by trade, Denis says members of Idle No More have a right to peaceful assembly but not when they’re affecting the rights of others.

Here in Calgary, there was a march by a small group of protestors over the noon hour Wednesday in the core.

Later that evening, more than 100 people gathered for a peaceful, candlelight vigil outside City Hall.

More than two dozen protests were held across the country during Wednesday’s “Day of Action,” including cities like Windsor, Montreal, Toronto and on Vancouver Island.

Members of the Roseau River First Nation were served an injunction to remove their blockade from the CN Rail lines Wednesday near Portage la Prairie, MB.

Former Chief Terry Nelson says they’re taking a stand so that leaders of commerce will take notice.

“This is all about the businesses in Canada that depend on CN and their product being there on time,” says Nelson.

Twenty members of the reserve plan to remain there until Saturday.

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