A CN Line in Sarnia, ON has been blockaded since Dec. 21
So how do they fix this besides putting a big shovel/ramp on the front of a locomotive and pushing the blockade out of the way? (I for one would find that hilarious)
mmmm…whatever happened to cowcatchers…[:-^]
Too high off the rails on the diesels aren’t they?
need more angle to the snowplow then?[;)]
OK, I know this is a Canadian problem and they can handle it just fine without any adivice from the likes of me… But.
Whatever the dispute is, this is what courts are for. You can’t just allow folks to shut down refineries and expect things like the economy to keep functioning. Maybe the “First Nations” have a legitimate dispute. Fine, then take it to court.
Here’s a suggestion:
OK, A troop, you go to the north and make sure you’re seen. Make a lot of noise and act like you’re going to do something.
B Troop, you sneak quietly around south and block any escape. We want prisoners, not casulties.
C Troop, you’re in reserve. Keep disclosed. I’ll let you know when and if you’re needed.
D and E Troops, I’ll be with you. We’re going in softly from the east. Just move 'em, don’t hurt 'em.
These things belong in the courts.
The most complete report I found is from The Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/support-growing-for-first-nation-blockade-in-sarnia-protester-says/article6706785/
The blockade is by a group of First Nations people who are protesting legislation supported by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. At this point some manufacturing plants say they will have to shut down if it continues.
Port Chicago all over again…[sigh]
This situation is not unlike the various reactions to the “Occupy Movement”. Some mayors chased the protesters away, and some put up with them for quite a while. At this point CN has an injunction in hand to move the protesters, but the city is not prepared to act yet.
At present nobody is prepared to pull the trigger on lawsuits. The “First Nations” have suits in progress regarding the “residential school” issue (no need to go into that here) among many others, against the Federal Government. The Federal Government needs First Nations support for various pipeline projects that will be crossing First Nations land. If everybody on both sides filed all of the lawsuits they have in their back pockets at once. the only ones who will come out ahead are the lawyers.
I think everyone is going to keep their powder dry, and the affected industries will no doubt get some type of compensation in the form of tax breaks on income or property, later.
Bruce
As per the following news report of two hours ago, the blockade is coming down:
Bruce
“The group alleges the railway tracks were not laid down legitimately.”
–From the above linked article.
I wonder if there is any substance to their allegation.
The validity of treaties that were signed in the 19th Century is one of the many issues under contention, that I mentioned above. I recall that if all of the treaties signed in British Columbia, for instance, were resolved in the First Nations favour, they would have claim to 106% of the province. This is why the process has dragged on so long. No one on either side wants to make an agreement on one issue, in case it would be used a precedent on a host of other issues. It will be unlikely that this issue will be solved solely on the merits of this issue alone, and not as part of a settlement on a group of issues.
Bruce
Seems as if some one was not getting the money or acknowledgement they wanted. As others said, the courts were where it should have been taken from the start. IMHO.