RCMP rejects majority of complaints it's reviewed against B.C. unit that polices resource protests

Catherine McClarty still has nightmares about her arrest two years ago during an anti-logging protest on Vancouver Island and her experience with a controversial RCMP unit that's been accused of improper use of force, neglect of duty and more.

As part of ongoing protests against logging of old-growth forests in the Fairy Creek watershed, the 47-year old took part in one of the largest acts of civil unrest in Canadian history.

The Victoria resident was one of more than 1,100 people arrested in 2021 by the Community-Industry Response Group (C-IRG), a specialized RCMP unit created in 2017 to police resource-related protests in B.C.

McClarty filed a neglect of duty complaint against C-IRG about her treatment during her arrest. Two years later, she's still waiting for a response.

"I saw a completely different side of the RCMP… there were so many violations of Charter rights out there," McClarty said. 

An analysis by The Fifth Estate found that McClarty is not alone. The RCMP had reviewed less than half of the complaints it received from Fairy Creek as of September 2023, according to data provided by the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (CRCC).

Of the complaints it has reviewed from Fairy Creek, The Fifth Estate analysis shows the RCMP has rejected 86 per cent of the allegations against it.

"I find it really disgusting and disappointing and I'm angry that there's been no recourse for their behaviour," McClarty said.

In June 2021, McClarty locked herself to a metal gate on a logging road in the interior of Vancouver Island, about an hour from Port Renfrew. She used a bike lock around her neck, a technique used by protesters to block workers attempting to access logging sites in the area. 

In her improper arrest complaint filed against C-IRG, she alleges the officers who attempted to remove the lock from her neck using a power tool showed little concern for her safety.

"They didn't give me any protective gear. I didn't get earplugs," she said. "I didn't have anything in between the angle grinder and the back of my neck." 

McClarty said the C-IRG officer had protection from the sparks. 

"He had special fire-resistant gloves, he had a hat, he had earplugs, he had all sorts of stuff for protection, but I had nothing."

McClarty is living with Stage 4 breast cancer and undergoes regular chemotherapy, but said that despite telling officers about her condition, some did not wear their masks during her arrest.