CAJ stands with Amber Bracken as landmark press freedom trial begins

Press Release

January 12, 2026

It’s been more than four years since Canadian photojournalist Amber Bracken was unjustly arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) while on assignment for The Narwhal in northern British Columbia.

Monday morning marks the beginning of a five-week trial in B.C. Supreme Court that seeks justice for that egregious act. Bracken and The Narwhal are suing the RCMP for breaching their constitutionally protected rights as journalists.

On Nov. 19, 2021, Bracken was out in the field doing her job. She was documenting tensions over the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline through unceded Wet’suwet’en territory. The RCMP arrested her because they claim she was allegedly “aiding or abetting” protesters onsite and not engaged in good-faith newsgathering activities.

In reality, Bracken never participated in protest activities related to the pipeline’s construction. She was there as a journalist to record what was happening, so that the public might know and see and, ultimately, decide for themselves what they want to think.

Over the past several years, the CAJ has been unwavering in its support for Bracken. In the direct aftermath of her arrest, the CAJ called for her immediate release from jail. The CAJ also sent letters demanding swift action by Canada’s public safety minister, the prime minister, B.C.’s minister of public safety and solicitor general, and the commissioner of the RCMP.

Bracken is a face many in the Canadian journalism community know and admire. Her professional accomplishments are extensive, including being chosen as a recipient of the CAJ’s Charles Bury President’s Award. Her displays of courage to protect the public’s right to know, and see, events unfolding in communities of all kinds across the country is a public service worthy of the highest commendation.

But the reality of this situation is that since November 2021, Bracken has not only been an outstanding journalist, as a result of this case, Bracken has also become the de-facto face of the tensions, and press freedom restrictions, frequently imposed on journalists by law enforcement.

The Supreme Court of Canada has noted on multiple occasions the “special,” “essential,” and “vital” role the media plays in the functioning of a free and democratic society.

Journalists and police have always existed in an awkward relationship. Journalists work to be the public’s eyes and ears. The role of the police is to protect people and communities with fair enforcement of our laws. But, unfortunately, the CAJ has witnessed law enforcement in Canada operating in secret and managing the flow of information.

While Bracken’s case is the one on the docket for Monday morning, she isn’t alone in experiencing this kind of censorship or interference at the hands of police. Over the past several years, the CAJ has documented multiple examples of how law enforcement across Canada too often arrest or detain journalists on trumped-up charges. The logical conclusion is that those actions are meant to stifle coverage and evade public scrutiny, in which case it is a strategy that criminalizes the act of bearing witness.

The status quo in this journalist-police relationship has become untenable.

Over the past four years, Bracken has withstood RCMP attacks on her credibility while exhibiting extreme courage. But she, and The Narwhal, are fighting for what is right – both morally and legally for journalism in Canada.

That’s why the CAJ stands with Amber Bracken and The Narwhal in this vital pursuit of justice.

The Canadian Association of Journalists is the country’s largest professional organization that serves to advance the interests of journalists from coast to coast to coast. The CAJ’s primary roles are public-interest advocacy work and professional development for its members.

For further information: Brent Jolly, president, Canadian Association of Journalists, brent@caj.ca

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