The message from the Prime Minister is that they have been working to resolve the issue with the rail blockades through dialogue with all stakeholders but it’s time for the blockades to come down.
However, Justin Trudeau says the onus is not on the federal government, but instead on the RCMP and provincial police in Quebec and Ontario and the involved Indigenous leaders.
He explains that the federal government can’t order police, but says the injunctions need to be obeyed.
Trudeau understands the people who are protesting are not the unanimous voice within the Indigenous communities and he is asking all Indigenous leaders to think about what they can do. He believes the onus is on them.
Meanwhile the federal government is working with rail carriers to find alternatives to lessen the impact in Canada.
He also worries the blockades are having a negative impact on reconciliation.