CN Rail is hoping rail movement will remain open after protesters blocking rail access to the port of Prince Rupert took down their blockade on Thursday.
Sean Finn, executive vice-president of CN Rail, said they are working to fix the grain backlog that started after the protests began.
Finn said he’s hopeful the blockades are not restored.
“I think we have very good relationships with the First Nations from Prince George all the way to Prince Rupert, and that was an unfortunate blockade just south of Smithers,” explained Finn. “We’re in contact with them continuously.”
CN Rail remains hopeful the blockades will stay down for the foreseeable future.
While it’s premature to estimate the impact this has had on CN, Finn believes it’s already being felt in eastern Canada where the blockades remain active.
“If you’re a rail worker in the Maritimes or Quebec, or you’re working at a plant that’s on the verge of being shut down because of the blockade because you can’t get to the car supply, that has a direct impact on people’s livelihood,” he stated.
“We have to make sure the protesters and everybody realizes this impacts real Canadians, not just CN as a company.”
Finn mentioned that the blockades are still impacting grain movement to eastern Canada.
Bellegarde, Trudeau share thoughts on national blockades
The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations has spoken out about the blockades going up in protest of a gas pipeline project through traditional First Nations territory in Northern B.C.
National Chief Perry Bellegarde called for peace and dialogue to resolve the dispute.
Meanwhile federal cabinet ministers met on Monday to try and figure out a way to resolve the protests, which have shut down rail service in parts of Canada.
In the House of Commons on Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged the frustration on all sides, but added everyone needs to come together for meaningful dialogue to end it.
He’s asking Indigenous leaders to be willing to work with the federal government on a resolution.
(With files from Ryan McNally and CJGX)
