A Nation Hijacked For Over Two Weeks
As many of you will know some of the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs opposing the Coastal GasLink pipeline slated to pass through their traditional lands in BC have set up blockades for the last couple weeks. The pipeline would extend from natural-gas fields in northeastern B.C. westward to Kitimat, B.C.. Some other First Nation groups and political activists have joined the protests.
At the same time elected chiefs, other First Nations leaders in the community are in favour of the gas line stating it will bring much needed resource into the community.
Click here to read this article from the Globe and Mail that unpacks the tensions.
The Impact Nationally
The blockades have dramatically impacted industry nationwide. The result has included:
▪ A backlog at Canada's biggest ports prompting some shippers to take their business elsewhere
▪ VIA Rail announced they needed to lay off 1000 employees and Canadian National Railway has temporarily laid-off 450
▪ Canadian business leaders have warned repeatedly about looming factory shutdowns and shortages because of stalled rail traffic and clogged ports
| ▪ | A backlog at Canada's biggest ports prompting some shippers to take their business elsewhere |
| ▪ | VIA Rail announced they needed to lay off 1000 employees and Canadian National Railway has temporarily laid-off 450 |
| ▪ | Canadian business leaders have warned repeatedly about looming factory shutdowns and shortages because of stalled rail traffic and clogged ports |
All of this has impacted thousands of Canadians nationwide through lost jobs and consumer good shortages because of the inability to get products transported.
Parliament Responds To Resolve
Parliament has been in heated debate over the issue and the Conservative Party has been calling on the government to order illegal blockades removed.
Earlier today Prime Minister Trudeau held a press conference stating that in spite of their best efforts to reach the hereditary chiefs and dialogue, they have not been able to get anywhere.
In this same press conference he called for the blockades to be removed.
Click here to watch Prime Minister Trudeau's press conference Friday Feb. 21st, 2020.
Please keep our nation and leaders in prayer at this fragile time for reconciliation and critical time for so many affected Canadians.
For more information, please read the following recent news articles:
CBC - Feb 21st: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/rail-blockade-ports
Global News - Feb 21st: https://globalnews.ca/news/6579757/blockade-trips-up-canadas-ports/
CTV News - Feb 21st: https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/canada-s-biggest-ports-being-tripped-up-by-rail-blockades
