Joint Resolution of Overnight Presence of Peaceful Protest on Parliamentary Precinct

June 14, 2024, Charlottetown - On June 13, 2024, Rupinder Pal Singh told Joseph Jeffrey, the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and Brian Weldon, the Sergeant-at-Arms, that he and his group would cease their overnight presence on the Legislative Assembly grounds as of noon today, June 14, 2024.

The Office of the Legislative Assembly thanks Rupinder Pal Singh for his cooperation and for his open communication since the protest started. We have provided assurances that the protest on parliamentary grounds is welcome during business hours, but the permanent structures, signs, and food debris be removed.

Rupinder Pal Singh and the group he represents understand the overnight presence resulted in a lack of maintenance on the property and impeded public access and use of the picnic tables and grassy space around the Hon. George Coles Building, particularly for local childcare groups.

According to a 2002 policy established by the Standing Committee on Legislative Assembly  Management, which has jurisdiction under the over the buildings and grounds in the Parliamentary Precinct under section 38 of the Legislative Assembly Act, “Encampments, tents and structures of similar nature will no[t]…be permitted on the grounds of the Parliamentary Precinct”. As a sign of its support for peaceful demonstrations, the staff of the Legislative Assembly have not been enforcing that policy and have been negotiating with Rupinder Pal Singh’s group since May 24, 2024, consistently maintaining their position that the group can protest, but that the overnight presence must end. Previously the group had confirmed they intended to cease overnight camping on the grounds by June 9, 2024. Once this date passed, providing notice to the group was necessary as a measure of last resort.

The Legislative Assembly supports free and peaceful demonstrations, and public access to its grounds.