Muskrat Falls protesters block government offices in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, say government not communicating

Muskrat Falls protesters prevented people from entering government offices in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, sayingthe province hasn't been communicative enough about the megaproject.

• Labrador protesters meet with MHA they want to resign

The protest wentagainst a promise the group made in January that they would no longer block people in the Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs office from getting to work.

OnJan. 13, protesters blocked the same office and an injunction was served.

When answering to that court order, the Labrador Land Protectors group struck a deal with the province that group members wouldn't block access to the building again if lines of communication were kept open and the injunction was dropped.

Protesters say the province hasn't been accessible, breaking its end of the deal. Then Mondaymorning, the group blocked access to the office building.

"There will be no negotiation," Deputy Minister RonBowles can be seen saying in a livestream of the encounter posted by protesters.

"We'll do the right, appropriate, legal course of action and I'll be going to work."

In a statement, the Premier's Office said, "The provincial government has a business continuity plan in place to ensure employees can carry on their work in situations where staff are unable to access their offices, and so staff are continuing to fulfil their duties in alternate locations without interruption."

"Members of the public do not receive direct services out of this location, and so public service has not been affected."

The statement didn't say if the province is seeking an injunction, only that it is reviewing the situation to determine next steps.

RCMPtold the group anyone present can be charged with mischief under the Criminal Code.

Protestershave two demands: first, that water immediately be released from the Muskrat Falls reservoir and second, that government order an independent review of the North Spur.

Nalcor has said water will be released in July, citing safety reasons. The group says waiting will release more methylmercury and goes against the spring timeline that Indigenous leaders agreed to in October.

It also says a review of the North Spur will uncover stability issues and lead the government to put an end to the project.

"I'm just trying to make a point that, you know, this is a dangerous thing what's going on here," said protester Edward Mesher.

"I can see why a lot of people don't come to this stuff. They're afraid, and I think the court and the police are doing their part to make sure that it's kind of threatening. Don't feel right to me, anyway."