Protests in solidarity with opponents of a B.C. pipeline project have spread across the country, and blockages continue today.
Protesters brought commuter rail traffic to a halt on a line near Montreal as train lines continued to be blocked in other parts of the country.
Service on the Montreal line was disrupted by opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline project that crosses the traditional territory of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation in northwestern British Columbia.
In Ontario, near Belleville, a blockade by Wet’suwet’en supporters has forced Via Rail to cancel service between Montreal-Toronto, Toronto-Ottawa and Toronto-Kingston.
A blockade near Hazelton, B.C. has also interrupted normal rail line activities between Prince Rupert and Prince George in both directions.
“We know that this unfortunate situation has an impact on our passengers travelling plans and we apologize for the inconvenience it is causing,” Via Rail said in a statement.
Nearly 50 people were arrested in Vancouver and nearby Delta yesterday after police executed a court injunction against demonstrators blocking busy ports in both cities.
Protests also took place in Ottawa and St. John’s, Newfoundland.
There are Wet’suwet’en solidarity protesters occupying the lobby of the Justice Department building in Ottawa.
They have demanded and received access to a bathroom.