The Canadian Press reports that federal officials monitoring “fallout” from RCMP raid on shale-gas exploration protesters

The Canadian Press reports that federal officials were
monitoring the “fallout” from the RCMP raid on the shale-gas exploration protesters of Rexton, N.B. The feds were concerned the raid could spark a movement similar to Idle No More. Elsipogtog First Nation members and other like-minded individuals were concerned about environmental impacts of shale-gas development and blockaded a roadway to prevent an exploration company from operating in the territory. On Oct. 17, the RCMP raided the compound of that blockade. A string of emails obtained through Access to Information shows concern about “growing support of protesters by first nation communities and other groups across the country.” “An ‘Idle No More’ like movement of protests is reportedly being planned starting tomorrow,” wrote the director of operations for Public Safety Canada, Alain Paquet. Another email notes the “creators of Idle No More in Lethbridge, AB, said via Twitter that they wasted no time in getting a group together to march down the city’s main drag Thursday afternoon.” The emails demonstrate that Ottawa wants to control aboriginal people, not work toward solutions to their concerns, said one of the protesters. “Canada has to have a better relationship with First Nations people,” said Susan Levi-Peters in an article by the Canadian Press.