Coastal GasLink

Work is expected to resume today, March 2, 2020, on a natural gas pipeline in British Columbia that has been at the centre of protests that have disrupted both rail and road traffic in many parts of the country.

Experts say the Wet’suwet’en solidarity movement was predictable and will continue until Canada fundamentally changes its relationship with Indigenous people.

More protests in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs sprung up on Saturday, February 21, 2020, a day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pivoted to take a sterner tone with Indigenous leaders he blames for halting train service across much of Canada.

Canada's minister in charge of Indigenous relations is making a bid to meet with Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs, but with the First Nation's leadership en route to meet supporters outside British Columbia, the likelihood of such a meeting seems bleak.

The move could signal the beginning of a possible resolution to widespread Wet’suwet’en solidarity rail blockades, which have paralyzed the Canadian economy. But it also may not be enough.

A small, mobile RCMP detachment in a remote area of British Columbia has become a bargaining chip in proposed talks that many hope could put an end to blockades that have disrupted rail and road traffic across the country.

B.C. Premier John Horgan raised his voice over jeers and fist-banging recently in question period after members of the Opposition Liberals criticized his government's handling of the clash between Wet'suwet'en hereditary clan chiefs and a pipeline company.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer called Trudeau’s speech “the weakest response to a national crisis in Canadian history” and “a complete abdication of responsibility and leadership.”

As cabinet ministers broker urgent meetings over rail blockades in support of hereditary chiefs in northern British Columbia, a series of negotiations over the Wet'suwet'en Nation's land rights have been quietly taking place for a year.

Hours of talks between the federal government and representatives of the Mohawk First Nation ended with "modest progress" on Saturday, February 15, 2020, evening, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said as he left the meeting near a rail blockade that's shut down train service across much of Eastern Canada.

“These protesters, these activists, may have the luxury of spending days at a time at a blockade, but they need to check their privilege,” Scheer told reporters.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has no plans to order the RCMP to end the blockades of vital rail links across the country.

Blockades set up by anti-pipeline protesters have forced Canadian National Railway Co. to shut down its entire network in Eastern Canada and Via Rail to cancel passenger service across the country.

The Wet'suwet'en called for pipeline opponents to "shut down Canada," and people listened.

The raids began before dawn. Police arrested six people, detained journalists and cut off the remote B.C. First Nation’s radio communications.