CN Update on Blockades in Tyendinaga, ON and New Hazelton, BC

Please find CN update regarding Blockade in Tyendinaga, ON  and New Hazelton, BC below.

The blockade in Ontario is on CN’s mainline in Tyendinaga, ON east of Belleville, ON. This blockade continues to impact the movement of goods between Western Canada and Eastern Canada and between Eastern Canada and Mid-west USA. This is the 5th consecutive day that our double tracked mainline has been shut down.

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued an Order restraining any person from trespassing on our right-of-way and interfering with CN’s operations. The Order was served on protesters who refuse to comply voluntarily. CN is seeking assistance from the local enforcement agency to enforce the order.

The blockade in British Columbia is on our mainline in New Hazelton, BC, west of Smithers, BC. The blockade continues to impact all traffic in and out of the Ports of Prince Rupert and Kitimat, BC. This is the third consecutive day that our main line has been shut down.

As we have done in Eastern Canada, we are considering all of our options, including our legal options in British Columbia.

A public statement from the individuals blocking the lines explained that their actions are in solidarity with the opposition to a natural gas pipeline in northern B.C.

This is unrelated to CN’s activities.

Nearly 200 trains have been directly impacted since the blockades began. This includes passenger trains that connect communities and trains that deliver key goods and products such as: propane for home heating, feedstocks into manufacturing plants, grains from Canadian farmers, coal from mines in B.C., and containerized goods for grocery and big box stores.

Across the network, our supply chain partners like the Port of Prince Rupert, the Port of Montreal, and the Port of Halifax are also feeling significant operational impact.

Rail transportation is important to the overall economic health of Canada and to the general public who rely on the many products that are shipped by rail. While we respect the right of people to demonstrate, it should not disrupt our service, our customers, our supply chain partners nor the Canadian economy.

We are monitoring the situation very closely and evaluating all of our options, as we are well aware of the impact the situation that is beyond our control, has on those who depend on rail transportation to move goods and passengers safely and efficiently.

We thank you for your patience and remain committed to minimizing the impact, to the extent that we can, on our customers, our supply chain partners, the Canadian economy, trade in general and the Canadian public.