APTN National News,March 19, 2013

A group of Six Nations protesters have less than 30 days to pay $350,000 to the city of Brantford for a series of blockades several years ago.

Judge Harrison Arrell ruled late last month in the Brantford’s favour after the blockades in 2007 and 2008 slowed the development of a hotel, manufacturing facility, retail outlets and a residential subdivision.

The blockades also resulted in one company ending its development and going to another city. They are suing Brantford for costs.

Arrell said the projects “were of significant economic importance to the community.”

He said the blockades began in 2007 and escalated in 2008.

The city tried to stop the blockades with court injunctions, by writing the protesters and also creating bylaws outlawing blockades of work on city roadways at certain construction sites.

The protesters claimed ownership of the undeveloped land as a result of past treaties.

The city had been looking for nearly $900,000, but Arrell ruled that to be excessive.

The protesters sought to be seen as public interest litigants. Meaning what they were doing was for the public good and shouldn’t have to pay any costs as a result.

But Arrell said the protestors didn’t want the court to determine whether the land had been ceded by Six Nations.

“In my view that detracts from the argument that this was public interest litigation very significantly,” he said.