The indigenous group manning Canada’s last significant rail blockade has allowed Canadian Pacific to inspect its tracks near Montreal, and is expected to make an announcement about the future of the protest today. The Montreal Gazette reports CP employees cleared some debris from the track Wednesday afternoon after Mohawks in Kahnawake, Quebec, allowed the railroad access under supervision of the local fire agency and law enforcement. The blockade, which has severed service on commuter railroad Exo’s Candiac line in addition to disrupting freight service, is in its fourth week.
Meanwhile, VIA Rail Canada says it is calling back “the vast majority” of the 1,000 workers it laid off because of the blockades, and has resumed most services. The passenger carrier’s updated plans say the Canadian is now back on its normal schedule, and full Toronto-Ottawa and Toronto-Montreal service will resume this weekend. Still suspended is the route between Jasper, Alberta, and Prince Rupert, British Columbia; the railroad says it is working with Canadian National on timing for resumption of that service.
Canadian National CEO JJ Ruest says the company will take a “significant” financial hit because of the blockades, but the company is not revising its financial targets for the year because it still has 10 months to recover. The Financial Post reports that Ruest estimates the financial cost will be similar to that of last year’s strike which shut down CN in Canada for eight day.
It’s over now. Exo commuter service will restart next Monday.
Interesting the use of the term: “blockade” as this is also a naval tactic used by opponents. Now that I think of it, this is a proper use of the term, the effect is the same just that no water involved. It is also an act of war. Cheers, sort of.