The federal government needs to take action and end to the blockades of the railways, and that action needs to come soon.
Canada’s economy has been held hostage for the past two weeks that began over the objections of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation having Coastal GasLink build their natural gas pipeline through their lands in northern B.C.
After members of that First Nation set up a blockade of gas company workers, blockades and other protests began appearing in support of them across Canada, including a Mohawk-led blockade near Belleville, Ont.
The result has been the halting of train traffic, mainly on CN Rail lines, and this in turn has had a major impact on many businesses and families across Canada, far beyond the scope of the natural gas pipeline project in northern B.C.
Many groups and protesters have taken on this issue without even knowing what they’re protesting against, and the unfairness of First Nations people exploding the issue by claiming things like “Reconciliation is dead” is only making the entire situation worse.
First of all, many First Nations chiefs and communities are fully in favour of the natural gas pipeline, which is getting absolutely no coverage by the national media as they focus solely on the ones protesting.
What’s more, there are members of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation who are not in support of the blockades, and some are actually employees or former employees of Coastal GasLink, and say this project is very good for First Nations communities as it provides jobs and other benefits to them.
The question should be asked of the heriditary chiefs who are protesting this project, why do their objections get to override other First Nation communities and members who support the project and want to work with the company? How is this at all fair?
And how is it fair that the economy across Canada is being slammed by this situation?
After a week and a half of this hurtful action, the Trudeau cabinet met on Monday to talk about the situation, and afterwards, the prime minister said they want a quick and peaceful solution to the blockades. The Liberals’ inaction so far has not been helpful, and it certainly is not quick as the situation goes into its second week.
The government has had all this time to talk to the First Nations about a solution. It’s time they got serious and settled this, for the good of all of Canada, and the health of the economy, which impacts everyone.
