Wet’suwet’en solidarity protests spark national crisis and debate across Canada

BY PAUL JUNOR

Who would have thought that when the pipeline protests began two weeks ago in Wet’suwet’en that it would have resulted in protests across Canada?

The $40 billion Coastal Gas Line pipeline was originally backed by the 20 elected band councils. The decisions by certain hereditary chiefs to oppose the pipeline have ignited varied reactions across Canada. These chiefs have control of approximately 22 000 square kilometres and are adamant that only the band council had judicial author over reserve lands. The Wet’suwet’en territory is located in Northeastern  British Columbia and the six billion dollar pipeline was expected  to move natural gas to the West Coast for export. The pipeline protest has led to the blockage of rail transport and has curtailed the flow of cargo ships, freight trains and highways. No one could have anticipated that this would result in the Canada-wide stoppage of vital rail services.

The pipeline protest in B.C. rippled across Ontario. According to the Sunday, February 17^th edition of the Toronto Star, the Canadian side of the Rainbow Bridge was closed for over an hour as demonstrators walked from Hwy 420 and met up on the Canadian side on Sunday, February 16^th.  Many protesters carried signs with slogans that read, “Honour our treaty rights,” “Native rights start today,” and “Kill the pipeline; save the land.” Speakers who spoke at the rally referenced the genocide, residential schools, broken promises by government with respect to enforcing treaty rights and lack of positive progress related to the issue of murdered and missing Indigenous women. In addition, on Saturday, February 15^th, supporters of the Wet’suwet’en demonstrators stopped all trains from coming in and going out of MacMilan Yard in Vaughan, Ontario. They eventually left in the evening at approximately 5:00 p.m. when there was an injunction presented to them requesting that they leave the rail line.

Organizers addressed the Canadian government stating that it had, “Fundamentally failed to live up to their obligations to meaningful nation-to-nation relationships. The recent arrest and invasion of the Wet’suwet’ en Nation has brought to the public’ attention Canada’s false commitment to reconciliation.” Many of the speakers who spoke were clearly upset with federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer who targeted them by stating that they should, “Check their privilege.” Many people have also directed their wrath at the Trudeau government for not ending the blockades earlier. Many see his indecision as inaction.

The effect of the blockades continue to linger as it has cut both passenger and freight rail services, including GO Transit services between Toronto and Barrie. There is no doubt that the economic and financial impact of this blockage will be significant on the Canadian economy. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Friday, February 21^st, “We are waiting for Indigenous leadership to show that it understands. The onus is on them. Let us be clear; all Canadians are paying the price. Some people cannot get to work, others have lost their jobs. Essential goods cannot get where they need to go.”

According to Hereditary Chief Woos the RCMP has, “Increased harassment, made illegal arrests, increased surveillance and monitoring of Wet’ suwet’en people and their invited guests.” There is no end in sight of this perpetual protest, as the issues are complex, longstanding and interrelated. Many critics have stated that the federal government should enforce the rule of law but the question remains, which laws are to be followed.