Via Rail has extended their train cancellations between Toronto to Ottawa and Toronto to Montreal until end of day Friday, Feb. 14. The cancellations are due to the ongoing rail line blockade held in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Nation in northern British Columbia, who are opposing the construction of a Coastal GasLink pipeline across their lands.

As of 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, 256 trains have been cancelled and at least 42,100 passengers have been affected, said Via spokesperson Marie-Anna Murat.

Rail activities are also interrupted between Prince Rupert to Prince George in B.C., until further notice. On the Prince Rupert to Prince Georges route, 30 passengers have been impacted.

However, normal operations continue in Southwestern Ontario and between Montréal-Ottawa and Montréal-Québec.

Refunds will continue to be given back to customers for all cancelled trains.

Murat said a significant number of freight trains have been stationed on the network since the beginning of the blockades, so it will take time to resume service.

“Once the blockades are lifted, Via Rail will be resuming service on a schedule that will need to be finalized in collaboration with the infrastructure owner,” she said.

Via Rail is encouraging passengers to take alternate routes over the next few days and to check viarail.ca for updated trip schedules.

Raneem Alozzi is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @r_alozzi

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