Greenpeace protest erupts during Ignatieff’s address to UBC students (with audio)

On Friday afternoon during Michael Ignatieff’s public address at UBC in Vancouver, a Greenpeace protest erupted threatening to derail the Liberal leader’s talk with students.

The premeditated protest happened during the question and answer portion of the evening. At the precise moment that Mr. Ignatieff responded to a question about the tar sands project, a small group seated around the stage jumped up exposing large banners and chanting “stop the tar sands.”

Mr. Ignatieff responds to a question about climate change at UBC, flanked by Greenpeace protesters

Clearly taken off guard, Mr. Ignatieff hesitated. His press secretary bolted toward the protesters down the left side of the small, stuffy theatre, but was unable to quiet them.

As many in the crowd booed the protesters, Mr. Ignatieff held his ground.

“Can I make a suggestion,” he said. “You ask a question, and you get to answer it?”

After it was clear that the Greenpeace members would not stand down, Mr. Ignatieff continued his address, flanked by two protesters holding signs displaying past quotes by Mr. Ignatieff.

One sign read: “My concern is that the tar sands are barely environmentally sustainable, barely socially sustainable…but am I proud of the industry? You bet.”

Mr. Ignatieff said that he supports a carbon cap and trade system, and the pursuit of hard climate science. He acknowledged that there must be ways to make the industry more sustainable, but felt that it was wrong to single out the tar sands as the only environmental problem for Canada.

“I will not make the tar sands the only issue,” he said, calling for comprehensive approach to climate change free from ideology and partisanship.

“I don’t take any of it back,” he said pointing to one of the banners.

Mr Ignatieff’s speech

During his speech Mr Ignatieff said that he wanted to ensure that Canada would achieve three goals during the next decade including: becoming the best educated nation in the world, the most energy efficient country, and the most international society.

He also called on the University audience to reflect on “those people not in the room.” He said that certain groups in Canada including aboriginals continue to suffer unacceptable literacy, education and incarceration rates.

“Get em in the room,” he said.

Audio: Mr. Ignatieff responds to question about the protest

Questions

Protesters hold their ground while Mr. Ignatieff continues his address at the Norm theatre at UBC.

Throughout the address Mr. Ignatieff addressed questions about issues including youth cynicism with politics, crime, and marijuana use.

At the end of the evening, when asked in the media scrum about the protest, Ignatieff said that he’s not afraid of democracy.

“I think that if a politician goes into a public meeting that he has to expect that if people are going to make protests, then they’re going to make protests,” he said. “This is a democracy. Mr. Harper says, you know, that democracy is a little turbulent; creates instability. I like turbulent democracy. I like debate. I like discussion, so I welcome anybody’s presence.”