Anti-pipeline protesters who are demonstrating around rail lines near Belleville, Ontario and New Hazelton, British Columbia have prompted CN Rail to temporarily shut down parts of its network. There is currently no movement of any trains – freight or passenger – at both those locations, crippling the ability to move goods and facilitate trade.
Transport Minister Marc Garneau has called the two blockades near Belleville “illegal” and “dangerous”, noting their impact on economic activity, and said enforcing injunctions against protesters is a provincial responsibility, not a federal one.
According to CBC News, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller has offered to meet with the Mohawks of Tyendinaga if they end an eight-day demonstration that has shut down passenger and freight rail traffic through southern Ontario.
A new blockade has been set up on the CN main line in Headingley, Manitoba approximately 14 km west of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The blockade is affecting traffic in all directions, including Western to Eastern Canada and Western Canada to the United States. It is becoming increasingly difficult to add traffic to the network due to this rapidly changing situation.
We will continue to monitor this situation and advise accordingly.
For more information, please call David Lychek, Manager – Ocean & Air Services at (905) 882-4880, ext. 1207.
