UPDATE: Following the premier’s conference call, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe issued the following statement on behalf of the provincial and territorial leaders:
“Canada’s premiers discussed the impacts that illegal blockades are having on their respective jurisdictions and economies. The premiers are calling for a meeting with the Prime Minister tomorrow via teleconference to discuss paths to a peaceful resolution and an end to the illegal blockades.”
The original article continues below.
Saskatchewan’s Premier Scott Moe will be hosting a conference call of Canada’s provincial and territorial leaders on Wednesday to discuss ongoing protests and rail blockades related to pipeline opposition by some Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs.
Moe, acting as chair of the Council of the Federation, tweeted on Tuesday night that he is convening the conference call to address “a lack of federal leadership in addressing this ongoing illegal activity.”
Saskatchewan’s premier also tweeted a link to an article about CN announcing layoffs for 450 workers due to the protest blockades.
The Wet’suwet’en solidary blockades stem from that First Nation’s hereditary chiefs vehement opposition to the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline, which crosses through their territory, due to environmental concerns. The Wet’suwet’en elected council approved the pipeline.
There have been nationwide protests in support of the hereditary chiefs over the past two weeks. This includes rail blockades, which have led to significant disruptions in parts of the country. Last week, CN shut down its operations in Eastern Canada as a result.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it was “past time” these protests ended, but offered no clear path forward other than offering to speak with protesters. The prime minister added using force to remove the blockades would not be helpful.
—With files from Global News’ Phil Heidenreich and Amanda Connolly.