2020 Canadian pipeline and railway protests facts for kids

The 2020 Canadian pipeline and railway protests were a series of peaceful protests and blockades held across Canada. The main reason for these protests was the building of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline (CGL). This pipeline was planned to go through about 190 kilometers (118 miles) of Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nation territory in British Columbia (BC). This land is considered unceded, meaning it was never officially given up by the Wetʼsuwetʼen people.

Protesters also cared about Indigenous land rights, how the police acted, protecting the land, and the environmental effects of big energy projects.

The Wetʼsuwetʼen hereditary chiefs and their supporters first showed their opposition to such projects in 2010. They set up a camp in the path of a different pipeline, the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines. This path was similar to the one later proposed for the Coastal GasLink Pipeline. The Northern Gateway project was stopped in 2016. However, the CGL project moved forward with planning and approvals. But, not all Wetʼsuwetʼen hereditary chiefs ever gave their full approval.

In 2018, the CGL project, costing about $6.6 billion, began construction. People blocked access to the construction sites on Wetʼsuwetʼen land. A court order, called an injunction, was given in 2018 to remove these land defenders. In January 2019, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in British Columbia removed the blockades. After this, the blockades were rebuilt. The BC Supreme Court gave a second injunction in December 2019 to allow construction to continue.

In February 2020, the RCMP enforced the second court order. They removed Wetʼsuwetʼen blockades and arrested land defenders. This led to many protests across Canada. Many of these protests blocked railway lines. One blockade near Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory stopped trains on a major Canadian National Railway (CNR) line. This line connects Toronto and Montreal. It caused passenger and freight train services to shut down in much of Canada. The Ontario Provincial Police later removed this blockade. Protests continued through March in BC, Ontario, and Quebec. Talks between Wetʼsuwetʼen representatives and the Canadian and British Columbia governments led to a temporary agreement on Wetʼsuwetʼen land rights.

Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project

The Coastal GasLink (CGL) pipeline is a 670-kilometer (416-mile) long natural gas pipeline. It is designed to move natural gas from mines in northeastern British Columbia to a plant at the port of Kitimat. At this plant, the gas is turned into a liquid. The project aims to supply natural gas to several energy companies in Asia.

The pipeline's path goes through unceded lands of several First Nations. This includes about 190 kilometers (118 miles) of Wetʼsuwetʼen territory. On Wetʼsuwetʼen land, the pipeline does not cross reserves. It only goes through their traditional territory.

The companies behind the pipeline planned its route in the early 2010s. They got approval from several First Nations councils along the way. However, they did not get approval from the Office of the Wetʼsuwetʼen. This office represents the hereditary government of the Wetʼsuwetʼen people. Most elected band councils of the Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nations did sign agreements with TC Energy, the pipeline owner.

In 2014, British Columbia approved the project's environmental review. Permits for construction were given in 2015 and 2016. TC Energy got final approval from its partners to start building in 2018. This was still without the full consent of all Wetʼsuwetʼen hereditary chiefs. Only one of the nine hereditary chiefs, Samooh (Herb Naziel), supported the project.

Environmental Concerns

The CGL Pipeline project has faced concerns about its environmental actions. These actions sometimes go against the company's own environmental rules and Canadian government guidelines. The BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) has found many times that CGL did not follow its environmental plan.

In December 2020, the EAO found that CGL did not properly control erosion and sediment. This caused a big risk to the health of waterways near the pipeline. This problem also put fish habitats in danger. Reports said that "sediment and cloudy water from waterway construction could harm aquatic life and suffocate fish eggs."

CGL has different ways to build the pipeline across waterways safely. These include digging trenches or using "trenchless" crossings. Trenchless crossings involve tunneling under the water without disturbing the stream. However, the EAO found that cloudy water and poor sediment control continued. These issues affected many waterways, including 68 wetlands. Even Fraser Lake was affected by cloudy water.

Besides water issues, CGL missed deadlines to protect plants and wildlife. They also left food in areas, which could attract predators. This created more environmental risks for the Wetʼsuwetʼen land and increased danger from animals.

Safety Concerns for Wetʼsuwetʼen

The location of CGL construction camps, especially temporary living areas for workers (sometimes called "man camps"), has raised safety concerns for the Wetʼsuwetʼen people. A national report on missing and murdered Indigenous women mentioned the risks these camps can pose. The Office of the Wetʼsuwetʼen used this information to argue against extending CGL's environmental certificate in October 2020. The EAO recognized the importance of this issue but did not use it to cancel the certificate.

CGL construction teams have also blocked Wetʼsuwetʼen access to their traditional traplines. These are paths used for hunting and gathering resources. This has made it harder for the Wetʼsuwetʼen to live their traditional way of life. A CGL spokesperson said that the company has a duty to allow Indigenous people access to their lands. However, access might be delayed if it is unsafe.

Safety Concerns for Construction Crews

In the early morning of February 17, 2022, about twenty masked attackers forced nine workers to leave a construction site near Houston, British Columbia. Some attackers carried axes. They also attacked and injured RCMP officers who came to help. A local politician, Ellis Ross, said that workers were inside a truck while attackers tried to set it on fire. Coastal GasLink estimated the damage to be "in the millions of dollars."

Wetʼsuwetʼen Opposition

Wetʼsuwetʼen Background

The Wetʼsuwetʼen are an Indigenous nation made up of five clans: Gilseyhu (Big Frog), Laksilyu (Small Frog), Gitdumden (Wolf/Bear), Laksamshu (Fireweed), and Tsayu (Beaver Clan). Their traditional territory is in the central western part of British Columbia. The Wetʼsuwetʼen people speak Babine-Witsuwitʼen, an Athabaskan language.

Their traditional government existed long before Canada was formed. It is a system of hereditary chiefs, with one chief representing each clan. Since 1994, the non-profit Office of the Wetʼsuwetʼen has represented these chiefs. The Canadian government later created elected band councils under the Indian Act to govern reserves. The Wetʼsuwetʼen have several such reserves.

Hereditary chief Na’Moks (John Ridsdale) stated that it is the hereditary chiefs' duty to protect their territory. He explained that 190 kilometers (118 miles) of the proposed pipeline route would go through their land. He said it threatens their water, salmon, and their rights. The pipeline would also cross areas important to Wetʼsuwetʼen culture.

In 1997, the Supreme Court of Canada made an important decision in the Delgamuukw-Gisdayʼwa case. The court ruled that aboriginal title is an exclusive right to land for Indigenous people. The court suggested that the Wetʼsuwetʼen and Gitxsan nations should negotiate with the BC government. However, the BC government offered only a small part of their territory, which was not accepted. So, the boundaries of the Wetʼsuwetʼen and Gitxsan traditional territories are not yet legally recognized in Canada.

Because there is no agreement on aboriginal title and rights, the hereditary chiefs believe their full consent is needed for any energy projects on their land. They say CGL does not have their consent. This issue of rights and title has also led to many solidarity protests. These protests also objected to the RCMP's actions and presence on Wetʼsuwetʼen traditional territory, known as yintah in Babine-Witsuwitʼen.

Blockades and Police Actions

2010 Blockades

A banner at Unistʼotʼen camp in 2012. It reads "YINTAHʼ WËWATʼZENLÏ" and "TAKING CARE OF THE LAND."

Starting in 2010, Wetʼsuwetʼen hereditary chiefs and their supporters set up blockades and checkpoints. These were on the Morice West Forest Service Road. This road provides access to pipeline construction projects that threatened their land. At first, these projects included the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines. Later, they also included Coastal GasLink, which began planning in 2012. The largest camp, Unistʼotʼen Camp, was set up in 2010 directly in the pipeline's path. It started as a checkpoint and now includes a healing center.

2018 Injunction

In November 2018, TC Energy got approval from its partners to move forward. The company then asked the Supreme Court of British Columbia for an injunction. This injunction would stop the blockade of its planned route through Wetʼsuwetʼen territory. In December, Judge Marguerite Church of the BC Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction. This allowed CGL to do pre-construction work.

2019 Enforcement

On January 7, 2019, the RCMP carried out a raid to enforce TC Energy's injunction. They removed the blockades on the Morice Forest Service Road. They arrested 14 Wetʼsuwetʼen land defenders. Protesters criticized the RCMP for using a lot of force. This included police snipers, helicopters, and many police vehicles. The RCMP then kept a continuous presence along the road. They set up a local office called the Community Industry Safety Office. The RCMP arrested any protesters trying to enter the area.

In December, TC Energy prepared to start construction on Wetʼsuwetʼen territory. The land defenders had resumed blocking access after the pre-construction work was done. So, TC Energy asked for the injunction order to be extended. Judge Church of the BC Supreme Court extended this injunction on December 31. The extension also allowed the RCMP to enforce the injunction. In her decision, Judge Church said that it was important to uphold the law and protect the public's right to access roads. She also stated that while the defendants might believe in their Indigenous law rights, Canadian law does not allow them to blockade activities that are legally approved. The Wetʼsuwetʼen chiefs publicly rejected this decision.

2020 Actions

On January 1, 2020, after rejecting the injunction, the hereditary chiefs ordered the RCMP and Coastal GasLink staff to leave Wetʼsuwetʼen territory.

On January 30, the RCMP announced they would pause their actions. This was to allow the hereditary chiefs and the province to meet and try to reach an agreement. On February 3, the Office of the Wetʼsuwetʼen asked for a court review of the pipeline's environmental approval. On February 4, all parties announced that the talks had failed.

On February 6, the RCMP began removing blockades on Wetʼsuwetʼen territory. They arrested 28 land defenders at camps between February 6 and 9. All were released within two days. The RCMP also held several reporters. They were accused of interfering with the freedom of the press. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs said they were "in absolute outrage" as Wetʼsuwetʼen rights were being "brutally trampled on." During the RCMP action, a lot of advanced equipment was used. This included heavily armed tactical teams, canine units, helicopters, drones, and snowmobiles.

On February 11, the RCMP announced that the road to the construction site was clear. TC Energy said work would start again the following Monday. The hereditary chiefs made it a condition for talks with the government that the RCMP close their local office. The RCMP moved to their Houston detachment on February 22.

Throughout February and March, protests and blockades in support of the Wetʼsuwetʼen were held worldwide. Most in-person actions stopped in mid-March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, online solidarity rallies continued.

On June 5, the BC Prosecution Service said that criminal contempt charges against 22 Wetʼsuwetʼen members and their supporters would not be pursued. Coastal GasLink also stated they would not pursue civil contempt charges against the protesters.

Meetings and Agreements

Three days of meetings began on February 27 in Smithers, British Columbia. These meetings were between the hereditary chiefs, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett, and BC Indigenous Relations Minister Scott Fraser. The RCMP agreed to stop all patrols on the Morice West Forest Service Road. They also agreed to close their local office during the meetings. Coastal GasLink also agreed to stop work in the territory during the talks. Once the meetings were over, RCMP and CGL work resumed.

On March 1, Minister Bennett, Minister Fraser, and Wetʼsuwetʼen representatives announced a proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU). This MOU aimed to address Wetʼsuwetʼen land rights and a plan for future projects on their territory. The specific details were not immediately released. The MOU first needed to be reviewed and approved by the wider Wetʼsuwetʼen nation. All parties made it clear that this agreement did not deal with the CGL Pipeline project itself.

On March 10, Theresa Tait-Day, president of the Wetʼsuwetʼen Matrilineal Coalition (WMC), made a statement. She said the proposed MOU did not include the entire community. She stated that "over 80 percent of the people in our community said they wanted LNG [First Nations LNG Alliance] to proceed."

Individual Wetʼsuwetʼen clans held meetings in March to review the MOU. The Laksilyu (Small Frog Clan) approved the MOU. According to the hereditary chiefs, the Gilseyhu (Big Frog Clan), Laksamshu (Fireweed and Owl Clan), and Tsayu (Beaver Clan) also endorsed it. The Gitdumden (Wolf and Bear Clan) met twice, but their third meeting was canceled due to a death. A planned meeting for all clans on March 19 was canceled due to concerns about COVID-19.

On April 30, the hereditary chiefs, along with the provincial and federal governments, announced that all five clans had agreed to the MOU. However, the elected chiefs of five Wetʼsuwetʼen band governments released their own statement the next day. They asked for the agreement to be withdrawn, saying they were not properly consulted. A later statement on May 11 again asked for the agreement to be withdrawn so elected governments could be consulted. It also called for Minister Bennett to resign.

The draft agreement was given to the elected band councils on May 7. It was given to other Wetʼsuwetʼen people the next day. Finally, it was published on the Office of the Wetʼsuwetʼen website on May 12.

The MOU was signed by hereditary chiefs, Minister Bennett, and Minister Fraser on May 14 in an online ceremony. The agreement does not directly address the CGL Pipeline project. It also does not change Wetʼsuwetʼen rights to their land. The MOU states that the Canadian and British Columbian governments recognize that these rights are held under the Wetʼsuwetʼen's own system of governance. It commits Canada and BC to a three-month process to create a formal agreement that confirms aboriginal title as a legal right. It also sets a twelve-month timeline for talks on jurisdiction. This includes land-use planning, resources, water, wildlife, fish, and child and family well-being. The MOU also acknowledges that bringing together the hereditary leadership and the elected band councils is important for the agreement to work.

Recent Developments

2020 Court Hearing

On October 1, 2020, the Office of the Wetʼsuwetʼen began a hearing in the BC Supreme Court. They asked the Court to reject the province's decision to extend CGL's environmental certificate for five years. Lawyers for the Office of the Wetʼsuwetʼen argued that the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) did not properly consider a report on Missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG), published in June 2019. They also pointed to the pipeline company's history of not following the EAO's rules. The EAO argued that there was no reason for the court to review their decision.

In a decision on May 20, 2021, Justice Norell found that the assessment office had asked CGL to consider how Indigenous nations would be involved in monitoring the project's social impacts. She said these comments showed the EAO did consider the MMIWG report. Regarding the company's history of not following rules, Justice Norell also disagreed that the EAO had not considered it. She stated that the EAO's report addressed the issues and concluded that CGL was committed to following rules and had fixed or was fixing any problems.

2021-2022 Wedzin Kwa Conflict

The 2020 agreement did not address the CGL pipeline. Construction continued to face opposition from the Gidimt'en Access Point and Unist'ot'en groups in 2021. On September 25, 2021, members of the Cas Yikh house and Gidimt'en clan set up new blockades. These were on the Morice West Forest Service Road. They aimed to stop CGL from drilling under the Morice River, known as Wedzin Kwa. These blockades included many small, solar-powered homes, some with kitchens.

Sleydo' (Molly Wickham), a leader of Gidimt'en Access Point, said that the work near the river would harm her people's way of life and the salmon population. She asked supporters to join the new blockades. A Gidimtʼen Access Point press release called the Wedzin Kwa "sacred headwaters that nourish the Wet'suwet'en Yintah [territory]."

Coastal GasLink president Tracy Robinson stated that their crews would use a "micro-tunnel" method. This method tunnels deep under the riverbed without disturbing the river itself. Robinson claimed experts considered this the safest and most environmentally friendly method. She also noted that a court order still prevented any opposition to CGL construction. In the days after the new blockades, the RCMP removed two of them and arrested at least one person.

In November 2021, Sleydo' said that the RCMP used excessive force to remove a Wet'suwet'en protester. The protester had locked himself under a bus used as a blockade. She said the man was "receiving ongoing medical care and has [nerve damage] in his hands" after being lifted and slammed against the ground. In October, Wet'suwetʼen Chief Dsta'hyl confronted construction crews. He disabled one of their excavators after many warnings. CGL recovered the excavator later that day.

On November 18 and 19, the RCMP removed the blockades and arrested 29 people. This included Sleydo' and two journalists.

In February 2022, masked attackers threatened CGL workers. They destroyed millions of dollars worth of equipment. No arrests were made.

In September 2022, drilling equipment was in place. CGL was preparing to drill under the river. Members of the Gidimt’en Clan and residents of Unistʼotʼen Camp reported that they were under constant surveillance.

Solidarity Protests Across Canada

Banner for an event in solidarity with the Wetʼsuwetʼen hereditary chiefs at York University on March 11. It reads "Wetʼsuwetʼen Solidarity," "stand strong," "hands off," "no pipeline on stolen land," and "Canada: respect indigenous land sovereignty."

On January 20, protests disrupted BC ferry service from Swartz Bay. This is Victoria's main ferry link to the BC mainland. BC Ferries later got a court order to prevent future protests from blocking ferry service.

When the RCMP began to remove Wetʼsuwetʼen blockades, protests started across Canada. These protests supported the hereditary chiefs and land defenders. On February 11, protesters surrounded the BC Legislature in Victoria. This prevented the traditional ceremonies for the Throne Speech. Members of the Legislature had to use police help or other entrances to get inside. Other protests happened in Hamilton, Nelson, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Sherbrooke, and Halifax.

Several major protests blocked access to the Port of Vancouver, Deltaport, and two other ports in Metro Vancouver. This lasted for several days. On February 10, Metro Vancouver police began enforcing an injunction. They arrested 47 protesters who refused to stop blocking the port.

On February 15, over 200 people in Toronto blocked Macmillan Yard. This is the second largest rail yard in Canada. On February 16 and 17, protests temporarily blocked the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and the Thousand Islands Bridge in Ivy Lea, Ontario. These are two major border crossings between Canada and the United States. At the same time, Miꞌkmaq protesters partially blocked access to the Confederation Bridge. This bridge is the only road link to Prince Edward Island. On February 18, several activists were arrested for trespassing at BC Premier Horgan's home. On February 24, protesters shut down a major intersection in Hamilton, Ontario.

A nationwide student walkout happened on March 4. University students across the country showed their support for the Wetʼsuwetʼen protesters.

The protests led to several hashtags being used widely on social media. These included #ShutDownCanada, #WetsuwetenStrong, #LandBack, and #AllEyesOnWetsuweten.

By September 21, over 200 Facebook users were blocked from posting or sending messages. All blocked accounts had shared information about an online rally on May 7 supporting the fight against the CGL pipeline. Facebook later said their systems "mistakenly removed these accounts and content" and restored them.

Rail Disruptions

Map of the Canadian National Railway system. Much of the network east of Toronto was temporarily shut down on February 13 due to protests and blockades.

Other First Nations, activists, and supporters of the Wetʼsuwetʼen hereditary chiefs targeted railway lines. Near Belleville, Ontario, members of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation began blocking a Canadian National Railway line on February 6. This was just north of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. This caused Via Rail to cancel trains on their Toronto–Montreal and Toronto-Ottawa routes. This line is very important for the CNR network in Eastern Canada. CNR has no other east–west rail lines through Eastern Ontario. However, to reduce economic problems, CNR made an agreement with Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) to share tracks. This helped avoid the Mohawk protesters.

Other protests blocking rail lines stopped service on Via Rail's Prince Rupert and Prince George lines. These lines run on CNR tracks. Protests on the CNR line west of Winnipeg also blocked the Canadian, a passenger train route from Vancouver to Toronto. Protests disrupted several GO Transit rail services in Toronto, Hamilton, and Exo's Candiac line in Montreal. CPR rail lines were also disrupted in downtown Toronto and south of Montreal. The Société du Chemin de fer de la Gaspésie (SCFG) freight railway between Gaspé and Matapedia was blocked on February 10 by members of the Listuguj Miꞌgmaq First Nation.

Starting on February 6, Via Rail announced train cancellations daily. Trains on the Toronto-Ottawa and Toronto-Montreal routes were canceled first. Prince George-Prince Rupert service was stopped on February 11. Canadian National Railway (CNR) freight train traffic also stopped along these lines. Other Canadian routes were also disrupted sometimes.

On February 13, CNR shut down its rail lines east of Toronto. On the same day, Via Rail, which uses these lines for its passenger service, announced it would shut down its entire network. The only exceptions were the Sudbury–White River train line and the Winnipeg–Churchill train between Churchill and The Pas.

Amtrak international service from New York City to Toronto and Montreal was not affected. Amtrak train service between Seattle and Vancouver on BNSF Railway Company lines was sometimes blocked. Amtrak's bus service on the same route was not affected.

CNR issued several injunctions against the protesters. This included separate injunctions against the Mohawk protesters near Belleville. The Ontario Provincial Police decided not to act immediately on these injunctions.

The rail blockade of Prince Rupert was lifted on February 14. On February 18, VIA announced that some passenger service would start again on February 20, between Ottawa and Quebec City. Via later said it would resume some routes in southwestern Ontario. Trans-Canada passenger service was not restored.

On February 19, a group of about 20 protesters called "Cuzzins for Wetʼsuwetʼen" set up a blockade on a CN rail line in west Edmonton, Alberta. CN got a court injunction. Less than twelve hours after the blockade began, counter-protesters removed it.

On February 19, activists set up a blockade on the Mont-Saint-Hilaire rail line in Saint-Lambert, Quebec. They promised to stay until the RCMP left the disputed area in Wetʼsuwetʼen territory. This blockade caused Via Rail to delay resuming service between Montreal and Quebec City. The Mont-Saint-Hilaire rail line was cleared on February 21 after Quebec Police enforced a CNR injunction.

On February 20, another blockade of CPR tracks appeared between Kamloops and Chase in British Columbia. The protesters left voluntarily on February 21. This happened after the RCMP offered to leave the Wetʼsuwetʼen land. The group promised to return in four days if talks did not start between the prime minister and the hereditary chiefs. After this, CPR wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Trudeau, asking him to speak directly with the hereditary chiefs.

On March 5, the rail blockades in Kahnawake and the Gaspé Peninsula were removed peacefully by the First Nations involved.

In early March, Canada's chief medical officer advised against large gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By the second week of March, most blockades had ended. Despite widespread closures due to the pandemic, CGL continued construction in the disputed territory. Pipeline opponents started a letter-writing campaign on March 21, urging the company to stop.

Businesses affected by the protests, like CN Rail, have filed lawsuits against protesters to get money for damages.

Economic Impact

Mohawk protesters by the level crossing at Wyman Road in Tyendinaga. This blockade on a key rail line led to CNR shutting down its network in eastern Canada.

The blockades caused CNR's Eastern Canadian network to shut down. This stopped all freight traffic from Halifax west to Toronto. On February 19, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters estimated that $425 million worth of goods were stuck each day. An executive from the Business Council of Canada called the shutdown "potentially a catastrophe for the economy." He said that rail "is the backbone of infrastructure in this country."

Due to a poor growing season, Canadian wheat and barley shipments were already delayed. The rail blockades made this problem worse. Farm supplies like fertilizer were also delayed. Canadian grain farmers have asked for rail transport to be declared an essential service. Mary Robinson, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, warned of "huge financial consequences." Farmers do not get paid until their products reach the market.

Dennis Darby, president and CEO of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association, stated that Canadian manufacturers rely on 4,500 rail cars daily. These cars carry both supplies and finished products. Many of these products are too big or heavy to be shipped by other ways. The total value of these deliveries is $200 billion each year. A chemicals trade group warned of shortages of chlorine, which is used to purify drinking water. Supply chains for chlorine, jet fuel, and de-icing fluid all depend on rail transport. An executive said, "You can't put it in a truck and send it down the 401." Mining, which made up 20% of Canada's exports in 2018, also moves most of its products by rail. By February 21, four thousand containers were reportedly waiting at the docks of Montreal. No grain had arrived for shipment at the port. In Halifax, a shipping company diverted its ships to New York and Baltimore. In Vancouver, goods waiting to be shipped east caused a backlog of 50 ships.

The disruption of propane rail shipments was expected to cause shortages. This was during a time when many communities were experiencing very cold weather. In Atlantic Canada, propane reserves fell to a five-day supply by February 14. Superior Propane, Canada's largest supplier, limited distribution in Atlantic Canada.

SCFG laid off five of its 30 employees on February 14. On February 18, CNR laid off 450 employees because of the pipeline disruptions. The company said that as many as 6,000 of its 24,000 employees could be laid off. On February 19, Via Rail announced temporary layoffs of up to 1,000 people due to the blockades. By the first week of March, most of the laid-off Via Rail employees and all affected CNR employees were called back to work.

Canceled passenger train services in the Montreal-Toronto-Ottawa area caused more than 42,000 Via Rail passengers to find other ways to travel.

On March 13, Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux released a report. He estimated that the protests would have "a minimal dent in the pace of economic growth." He thought the blockades would reduce Canadian economic growth by 0.2% for the first three months of 2020. For the whole year, the GDP was expected to fall by $275 million, about 0.01% of the total GDP. Giroux called this "a blip," despite businesses warning of shortages. The PBO said that the COVID-19 pandemic would likely have a greater impact on the economy.

Images for kids

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  Mohawk protesters by the level crossing at Wyman Road in Tyendinaga. This blockade along a critical rail line led to CNR shutting down its network in eastern Canada.

See also

• Timeline of the 2020 Canadian pipeline and railway protests
• Trans Mountain pipeline
• Treaty rights
• Oka Crisis
• Grand River land dispute
• Fairy Creek old-growth logging protests
• Delgamuukw v British Columbia
• Critical Infrastructure Defence Act