Protesters in Kahnawake form rolling blockades in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs
Protesters in Kahnawake took to the roads Wednesday to form a rolling blockade in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs, who oppose a pipeline project in northern B.C. on their territory.
The event took place at around 1 p.m. Wednesday as protesters slowed traffic on highways 132 and 138 south of Montreal.
If completed, the pipeline would transport natural gas from Dawson Creek in northeastern B.C. to Kitimat on the coast. According to Coastal GasLink, the company administering the pipeline, the project is more than halfway finished.
Last week, Mounties in northern B.C. said they were enforcing an injunction barring protests from blocking an access road used by Coastal GasLink pipeline workers.
On Friday, the RCMP arrested 15 people -- including two journalists – following a series of protests that blocked access to that road.
“Canada must act quickly to bring an immediate end to the current volatile situation,” said Kahnawake Grand Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer in a statement released on Tuesday.
ONGOING SUPPORT
The dispute over the 670-kilometre natural gas pipeline flared previously in 2019 and 2020, with land defenders in Kahnawake shutting down a portion of CP rail running through their community.
At the time, several other protests sprung up across the country, including nearby blockades in Listuguj, a Miꞌgmaq First Nation in eastern Quebec, and in Belleville, Ont.
Several people were arrested in 2020 when the RCMP enforced a court ruling which established an exclusion zone in areas where protesters were blocking access to the construction site.
Now, a year later, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) said in their Tuesday statement that “no one wants a repeat of the events of early 2020, when anger and frustration over the RCMP’s heavy handed actions boiled over into protests across the country.”
The MCK called on Canadian decision-makers to meet face-to-face with local leaders to resolve the conflict.
“In 2020, the situation only de-escalated after high-level representatives from the federal and provincial governments sat with the Traditional Chiefs to come to an agreement,” read the statement.
“It is unfortunate that such recent history can so quickly be forgotten.”
In 2020, Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs traveled to Kahnawake in their final stop on a tour of eastern communities that supported them.
At the time, a ceremony was held to formalize a partnership between traditional leaders of both communities.
The MCK said Tuesday it’s “committed to respecting and supporting this relationship by remaining available to offer its assistance, should this be requested."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.