Environmental protesters shut down Jean Charest speech at McGill
Former premier speaking to students about restoring public trust in democratic institutions
A speech by former premier Jean Charest at McGill University was cancelled after it was disrupted by environmental protesters Monday.
Charest was about 15 minutes into a speech to several dozen law students and others at Chancellor Day Hall when he was shouted down by three people in the audience.
Security tries to get protester to leave...Charest has left the auditorium. <a href="https://t.co/TpoaU0mT9y">pic.twitter.com/TpoaU0mT9y</a>
—@CBCRaffyOne yelled insults, and they unfurled protest banners opposing pipelines and the development of the province's Plan Nord – its strategy for exploiting natural resources in northern Quebec.
The former premier was at McGill's law faculty building to speak to students about restoring public trust in democratic institutions.
Protestors interrupt Charest speech at McGill, yell "Charest trou de cul, espèce de corrompu." <a href="https://t.co/7Uk7WEOggF">pic.twitter.com/7Uk7WEOggF</a>
—@CBCRaffyMontreal police were called to the scene to make the protesters leave the lecture hall.
Outside the hall, another three protesters explained their opposition to the Quebec government's environmental policies.
They also said they're angered by the university's decision last month to reject a petition to sell off its investments in fossil fuels.
The university's endowment was valued at $1.4 billion at the end of April 2015, according to a university report.