End rail blockade and we’ll meet: Feds to anti-pipeline protesters
Posted February 13, 2020 1:34 pm.
Last Updated February 13, 2020 3:18 pm.
OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – The federal government is taking steps to crack down on anti-pipeline protests that have shut down rail service across the country.
Marc Miller, minister of Indigenous services, has requested a Saturday meeting with the Mohawk protesters, who have been blocking train lines in Ontario, to discuss their concerns. In return, he is asking them to stop the blockades.
It’s not yet clear whether the protesters will take him up on the offer.
Meanwhile, the demonstrations are having a severe impact on the Canadian economy, according to Ryan Greer, senior director, transportation and infrastructure policy with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
“They’re losing sales, curtailing production and having to make challenging business decisions,” he said. “…It’s up to government to take charge here and demonstrate that Canada is a reliable supply-chain partner that the rule of law will be enforced.”
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The rail blockades are among a series of direct actions activists have taken — including blocking traffic and occupying government offices — across the country in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs in northern B.C. who are opposed to the Coastal GasLink pipeline planned to go through their territory.
VIA Rail announced on Thursday it was cancelling all train trips across the country due to ongoing blockades by pipeline opponents. CN Rail has also shut down operations in eastern Canada.
The federal government initially said it was up to the provinces to deal with the demonstrations but is now moving in search of a resolution.
Just over half of Canadians support the pipeline, while roughly 40 per cent support the protesters, according to a new poll from the Angus Reid Institute.
