A headless statue of Queen Victoria is seen toppled and vandalized at the provincial legislature in Winnipeg on July 2, 2021 The Manitoba government is preparing to ban encampments, vandalism and vehicle blockades from the legislature. The Progressive Conservative cabinet has written a list of prohibited activities that also includes lighting a fire, brandishing a weapon and depositing generators, firewood or other items to support a camp. People who break the rules could be kicked off the premises and face fines of up to $5,000, although people can apply to the chief security officer for an exemption from the rules in some cases. The government has not yet said when the new rules will come into effect. The list of banned activities follows a law passed earlier this year that gave the cabinet the power to determine what can and cannot happen on grounds. There have been three encampments in recent months, including a raucous protest against the COVID-19 restrictions that involved large trucks blocking the main entrance to the grounds during the winter. “The right to lawful protest is critical in a free and democratic society. The right of people to live and work safely is also an important part of our democratic institutions,” Justice Minister Kelvin Goergen said in a statement on Friday. “The new Legislature Security Act balances these rights by allowing protests while ensuring that those who visit, work or demonstrate in and around the Legislature are safe. As with all illegal activities, it will be left to enforcement officials of the law through the discretion to enforce those laws, including those arising for legislative purposes.” Two camps remained on the ground Friday. One, which has been in place for more than a year, includes several tents and some wooden structures on the legislature’s east lawn. It was created after the discovery of insignificant graves in former residential schools. A second, more recent campsite is on the front lawn. Nearby are parked vehicles with messages opposing the COVID-19 public health restrictions. Last summer, protesters took down a statue of Queen Victoria and removed its head. No one was charged. The government said the statue was irreparably damaged and there is no word yet on what will be installed in its place. “These are all conversations we’re continuing to have right now and consultations about what it’s going to look like (going forward),” Premier Heather Stefanson said earlier this week. “If you go to Saskatchewan, they don’t really have anything out there. They have beautiful gardens and everything. We’ll just see … no decisions have been made.”
