As one rail blockade remains in place in Canada, the political and financial toll of the three-week disruption to rail transportation continues.
A poll taken in the wake of Canada’s series of rail blockades finds that only 27% of those responding feel Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has handled the situation well, while 45% approve of the actions of provincial premiers.
The poll for the National Post by Dart & Maru/Blue also found a majority of those surveyed feel Canada is heading in the wrong direction, but also suggests that a majority are sympathetic to the indigenous groups which have led the blockades. Some 57% agreed the government lies to indigenous people; 62% percent say Trudeau has not done enough for indigenous people; and 52% say the nation has not done enough for indigenous groups.
The disruptions in rail service have cost Canada’s grain industry an estimated $63 million a week, according to the Financial Post. The Western Grain Elevator Assocation says those costs include contract penalties, demurrage, and capacity losses. Among the penalties are those being paid to more than 50 ships waiting to load grain at Western Canada ports.
Meanwhile, at the last remaining blockade, on the Canadian Pacific at Kahnawake, Quebec, A representative for the Mohawk protesters says Quebec Premier Francois Legault owes them an apology for claiming they were armed with assault weapons. Legault said Wednesday that police had not yet dismantled the blockade because of “information that confirms there are weapons — AK-47s, to name them.” In a statement to the CBC, Legault’s office said “The premier will not apologize … Facts are facts. We reiterate the urgency for the federal government to resolve the crisis.”
In British Columbia, where protests over a gas pipeline crossing First Nations land sparked the blockades across the nation, federal officials and hereditary chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en who oppose the pipeline met Thursday for about three hours and are scheduled to meet again today.
Timothy Vincent: How true!
Peter Behnam: Simultaneous national elections in both Canada and the United States this November would be very interesting indeed!
The Canadians elected a teeny bopper, airhead as Prime Minister.
People get the government they deserve.
One burning question I have had through all this is why block the railroads? The railroads are the alternative to a pipeline. Disrupting rail traffic IMHO adds more more support to the pipeline.
I’m still wondering why he got elected, oh the Torontonians
cHARLES
……………………BECAUSE THE OPPOSITION PARTIES DO NOT HAVE THE GUTS TO DEFEAT HIM…..PLAYING THE DIRTY GAME OF POLITICS IN FAVOR OF THEIR POCKET BOOKS RATHER THEN DOING WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE COUNTRY….
So why is Justin still PM?
As far as the shippers are concerned I would be surprised if there were not a force majeur clause in the contracts. Acts of war, acts of civil unrest, acts of God, acts of the public enemy, that sort of thing. But all that does is to cause litigation which in turn only shifts the costs. I would never approve a contract which did not include such a clause.
Having said that I do not know the background of the FN complaint(s) nor would I comment if I did – I will not take sides here. I simply hope men (and women) of good will on all sides can come together and solve these problems to the benefit of all.
The above comments are generic in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. When shall we meet again? In riot, strike, or stopping train?
I have to say that it is only a matter of time before the loyal opposition forces a vote of no confidence in Trudeau’s government. Figure on a rare occurrence in November with both the USA and Canada holding major elections within days of one another, if not on the same day.
Over 20 years ago the FN were promised $ to help with a lot of infrastructure, they really need it, clean water is a huge problem, housing right behind it, especially in remote areas. Several governments of different political stripes have come and gone and no money or very little has been given. Not many votes to be gotten on FN so $ go to more vote gaining areas, buying votes with taxpayer money!
At least once a year the rail line at Belleville gets blockaded to remind the gov of FN issues. Some roadways also, now they have figured out a better way to get the government’s attention, it’s really easy to usually go around a road blockade. And Trudeau made a big deal of helping the FN five years ago and nothing has happened, so here we are. When ever there is a flashpoint things always escalate and with this weak leader, here we go.
Mr. Cupp, this has little to do with the pipeline and more to do with a power struggle. The Indians wanted to flex their muscle and see if Trudeau would blink. And of course, being a liberal and not a very bright one at that, he did. Now he is seen as weak and the Indians as strong. This isn’t over by a long shot.