Question Period Note: Rail blockades

The Canadian rail network has been impacted by unprecedented disruptions over the last two weeks. Rail traffic on key railway lines in various locations across the country have been halted due to protests supporting the Wet'suwet'en nation, whose hereditary chiefs oppose a natural gas pipeline in British Columbia.

• Over the past three weeks, there have been over 50 blockades across the country to date, and various significant blockades remain active.
• The right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression are important democratic rights. This disruption affects each and every Canadian. There have been several injunctions sought and granted, and we encourage all Canadians to respect court decisions, in accordance with the law.
• We recognize the significant impact on the economy and the transportation system. We are aware that the Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway are cooperating to move essential goods to the communities that need them.
• As Minister of Transport, I have a duty to ensure that our rail system and its infrastructure are as safe as possible. I want to remind Canadians that rail lines and rail yards are dangerous places for people without the proper training. Large moving trains confronted with unexpected obstacles on a rail line cannot stop instantly and this presents an extreme hazard to the life of those inside the train and those in front of a moving train.
• The Government of Canada is committed to working on these matters in a manner consistent with its broader commitments to reconciliation. All parties must engage in open and respectful dialogue to ensure this situation is resolved quickly and peacefully.

• The Canadian rail network has been impacted by unprecedented disruptions over the last three weeks. Rail traffic on key railway lines in various locations across the country have been halted due to protests supporting the Wet'suwet'en Nation, whose hereditary chiefs oppose a natural gas pipeline in British Columbia.
• Since February 2, 2020, over 50 events impacting transportation have been registered in different regions of the country with 9 ongoing as of Tuesday February 25th. Nine significant active blockades remain in place: ◦at Tyendinaga (since February 8th), in Belleville, Ontario (Canadian National) (although blockades came down February 24th it remains effectively blocked as it is too dangerous to move trains due to on-going protest activity close to, or on the tracks);
  ◦ at Kahnawake (since February 8th), south of Montreal, Quebec (Canadian Pacific Railway);
  ◦ two separate blockades in Hamilton (since February 24th), in Hamilton, Ontario (Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway);
  ◦ in Chase (since February 24th) in Chase, British Columbia (Canadian Pacific Railway);
  ◦ at the Port of Vancouver (since February 24th) in Vancouver, British Columbia;
  ◦ in Winnipeg (since February 25th) in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canadian National Railway); and
  ◦ two blockades affecting international bridges in Cornwall, Ontario (since February 24th) and in Sault Ste-Marie, Ontario (since February 24th).

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