After nearly a week of disruptions, a Liberal MP is calling for an end to the unlawful blockades that have immobilized rail transportation across Canada. Protesters have been obstructing railways in Ontario and British Columbia, claiming to act in solidarity with those protesting the Coastal GasLink pipeline in Northern British Columbia.

The MP for Saint John-Rothesay Wayne Long released a statement on Tuesday claiming ongoing rail disruptions are hurting businesses in his riding.

Protesters are currently occupying CN Rail tracks near Belleville, Ontario, blocking the only rail link between Eastern Canada and Western Canada. Long says the blockade threatens the operations of Saint John’s largest employers, putting hundreds or even thousands of jobs at risk.

“It is my duty to stand up for the rights and livelihoods of my constituents; this is why I find this unlawful blockade untenable and feel compelled to call for it to end immediately,” he wrote. He called upon his government to “do everything it can within its jurisdiction” to end the disruptions.

“Our government must intervene to end the unlawful blockade of Canada’s critical transportation infrastructure,” he wrote.

Though he recognizes the right for Canadians to protest, Long states “the rule of law cuts both ways: while it ensures the protection of the right to engage in peaceful protest in our country, it also imposes reasonable limits upon this right.”

The RCMP in Ontario has secured a court-ordered injunction to clear the blockade, but so far no action has been taken to remove the protesters.

In a press conference Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked for the parties involved to come together but did not offer any solutions.

“Obviously it’s extremely important to respect the right to freely demonstrate peacefully, but we need to make sure the laws are respected. That’s why I’m going to be engaging with our ministers and looking at what possible next steps there are,” he said.

On Thursday, CN Rail shut down its entire rail network in Eastern Canada over the disruptions, and Via Rail announced a complete shutdown nationwide.

Bombardier sold its remaining stake of the C Series commercial jet program to pay off some of its billions of dollars of debt. 

The struggling transportation company owes over US$9 billion and recently reported a $1.6 billion loss in the past year. This loss was cited as one of the reasons for the C Series selloff.

Airbus, which previously took over the project under its A220 line, will pay Bombardier $591 million for the deal.

In January, Bombardier’s stocks plummeted to a record low, losing one-third of its value in a single day to close at $1.22 per share. Bombardier shares saw a slight uptick in value after the C Series sell-off was announced, closing Thursday at $1.69 a share.

Despite expensive bailouts on the taxpayer’s dime, Bombardier has struggled to keep afloat.

In 2017, Justin Trudeau’s government gave the company a $372.5 million federal loan, while the Quebec government lavished Bombardier with another $1 billion in funding. 

The same year, Bombardier announced it would lay off 5,000 people worldwide.

The company has also struggled to meet the demands of a contract with New York City’s transit authority. 

NYC had to pull 300 subway cars manufactured by Bombardier because of malfunctioning equipment. 

“Out of an abundance of caution, (New York City Transit) removed all R179 train cars from service overnight for thorough inspection and re-deployed other spare cars to continue service for this morning’s rush and ensure minimal impacts to customers,” said New York City Transit President Andy Byford.

“We intend to hold the company fully accountable.”

Via Rail has cancelled all train service across the country amid anti-pipeline protests and blockades set up on a number of rail lines.

A Via spokesperson shared the information in response to a number of passenger inquiries, promising an official statement soon.

This news comes just as CN Rail announced Thursday it would be shutting down its eastern Canada network “until the illegal blockades end.”

A statement from CN expressed disappointment that its successful court orders to end the blockades were not being upheld by law enforcement agencies.

The BC Supreme Court found Sunday the protests blocking BC ports were causing “irreparable harm” and gave the RCMP authority to arrest those who don’t follow the injunction ordering the cessation of the blockages.

With CN’s shutdown of service, the company said “temporary layoffs” would be imminent.

Via passengers started receiving emailed cancellation notices for planned trips Thursday afternoon. Some passengers received the news after they had already boarded trains.

An advisory on Via Rail’s website says customers are unable to purchase any travel prior to Feb. 18.

Via previously cancelled service between Toronto and Montreal as well as Toronto and Ottawa, due to the blockade near Bellville, Ont.

Protesters have staged blockades across Canada claiming to be in support of hereditary Wet’suwet’en chiefs who oppose British Columbia’s LNG pipeline. 

Members from the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association have urged the government to immediately resolve the issue to avoid further potentially devastating economic impacts. 

Despite wide First Nations support for the LNG project, a small number of Wet’suwet’en chiefs and their supporters have decided to hold out and prevent construction from moving forward.

More to come.

At an appearance with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Senegal President Macky Sall defended his country’s prohibition of homosexuality, which sees people imprisoned for up to five years for same-sex acts.

Despite Senegal’s poor human rights record, Trudeau courted the African nation’s government for support of Canada’s bid for a UN Security Council seat, which Sall offered.

According to Senegalese law, homosexual acts are criminal and “against nature.” Sall said his country’s laws are not rooted in homophobia, however.

“The laws of our country obey rules that are the condensation of our cultural and civilizing values. This has nothing to do with homophobia. Whoever has the sexual orientation of their choice is not the target of exclusion,” he said in French. “Nor can we ask Senegal to say, ‘Tomorrow we legalize homosexuality and tomorrow there is a gay parade, etc.”

Trudeau didn’t condemn Sall’s defense of the policy, but did promise to “talk about it briefly” with Sall.

“I always defend human rights and bring those issues wherever I go. President Macky Sall is very familiar with my views on this, and we will talk about it briefly,” said Trudeau in French. 

The prime minister has been touring Africa this past week to secure votes for Canada to have a seat on the UN Security Council. Senegal was the last stop on his campaign. 

While there, Sall pledged his full support for Trudeau during the UN election and that he would try and encourage other African countries to do the same. 

“Canada has our full support in this election,” said Sall. 

According to Human Rights Watch, 39 people in Senegal confirmed to be arrested for their sexual orientation between 2011 to 2016.

The Victoria Police are investigating claims that an unknown number of government staff were assaulted by pipeline protesters who blockaded the legislature on Tuesday.

According to the BC government, several people were injured trying to access their place of work as protesters tried to forcibly prevent them from entering. 

“This is unacceptable. Peaceful protesting does not involve pushing and shoving, nor obstructing people from their places of work,” said a statement by the Victoria Police Department.

“Officers are aware of reports in local media and on social media of people being assaulted and injured during the protests. We are actively investigating these reports and encourage those with information to come forward.”

Protesters blockaded the province’s capital building in protest of the LNG pipeline. Similar blockades and gatherings have popped up across Canada in support of hereditary Wet’suwet’en chiefs who are opposed to the project. 

In a separate incident, Victoria police officers were subject to racist slurs and assault from belligerent pipeline protesters who occupied the government office of BC’s Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. 

“Our officers experienced verbal and physical abuse in the course of executing their duties,” said Victoria Police Chief Del Manak. 

“[They] were pushed, they were kicked, and they were subject to race-based verbal attacks.”

The federal government has stated that they are “very concerned” about blockades by protesters targetting CN railways. 

“The government of Canada is seized of the issue. We’d like to resolve it as quickly as possible, but it’s a complex issue. Hopefully, we’ll resolve it as quickly as possible,” said Transport Minister Marc Garneau.

Nearly half of Canadians support the construction of the Teck oilsands mine in Alberta. 

According to an Angus Reid Institute poll, 49% of Canadians were on board with the project, while only 40% said they oppose the development.

Of those who supported the project, 24% said they strongly support it, while another 25% strongly opposed the project. 

The highest level of opposition to the mine was in Quebec and BC. In every other province, those who supported the project outnumbered those who opposed it.

In Quebec, 57% of respondents said they opposed the mine, and another 49% opposed it in BC.

The highest level of support was in Alberta with 78% in support, followed by Saskatchewan with 62%. 

The Teck oilsands mine is expected to create thousands of jobs for the province according to estimates.

The project is expected to provide 7,000 jobs during the construction phase and employ 2,500 while in operation. 

In terms of how much oil it will produce, the mine is expected to produce 260,000 barrels of oil per day and generate around $12 billion in taxes and federal income. 

Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has been considering delaying a decision on the project after Liberal MPs urged the government to not approve the project. 

Jason Kenney recently wrote an open letter to the prime minister, urging him to approve the mine and warning that there would be “devastating impacts” if the project was to be scrapped.

The Liberals have been allegedly preparing an aid package for the province according to sources from within the Liberal cabinet. 

“Albertans are not looking for a Justin Trudeau handout. We’re not interested in that,” said Alberta’s Environment Minister Jason Nixon.