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Via Rail shuts down nation-wide service due to blockades against northern B.C. pipeline

CN Rail also cancels eastern Canada network

A major Canadian transportation company has decided to temporarily shut down its services.

This is due to blockades set up along tracks across the country by Wet’suwet’en supporters against the Coastal GasLink pipeline project in northern B.C.

According to a release, Via says its infrastructure owner was not able to support its operations across the network, claiming it has ‘no other option’ and is cancelling trains ‘effective immediately.’

“We understand the impact this unfortunate situation has on our passengers and regret the significant inconvenience this is causing to their travel,” the company says in the same statement.

Via Rail is the second major railway network to shut down significant service after CN Rail announced today (Feb. 13) its halting its eastern Canada network due to the same blockades.

CN’s branch from Prince George to Prince Rupert was cut off by a blockade set up in New Hazelton this week.

Wet’suwet’en Supporters and Hereditary Chiefs are wanting the RCMP and Coastal GasLink to leave their territory.

On Tuesday (Feb. 11), RCMP said they completed a court-ordered injunction at Morice River Forest Service Road where several arrests took place.

Via Rail says it’ll provide full refunds to passengers because of the cancelled trips, but adds it may take up to 15 days to get through due to the volume of transactions,

You can go to Via Rail’s website for more information.