Protesters removed from Imperial Metals' annual conference

One person has been arrested, and three others forcibly removed after entering Imperial Metals' annual conference at the Coquitlam Executive Plaza Hotel.

At least a dozen RCMP officers were called to the scene after a group of protesters gathered outside the hotel and entered one of the conference rooms. 

Indigenous groups say they are protesting the event to draw attention to the clean up of the Mount Polley tailings pond spill. 

Kanahus Manuel said protestors were aiming to speak directly to Imperial Metals' leaders about ongoing mining projects on Indigenous land. 

"We're going to Imperial Metals to let the executives and shareholders, the people making the decisions about going onto our territory, know that these investments are very high risk and very uncertain projects to be investing in."

"They're going into some of the most sacred places that we have, our most sacred headwaters and our glaciers." 

Ahousaht First Nation member Leonard John said he attended the protest as a representative of his community.

"Imperial Metals is not wanted in our territory and our Ahousaht chiefs have told them as well that they're not welcome in our territories," he said.

"It's a sacred mountain that they're trying to mine. For it to be sold for money, come on. We've got to think about our children and the next seven generations."

With files from Farrah Merali