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It must be made clear that there is no legal justification for these railway blockades nor is there any legal basis for this call to action by a group of British Columbia hereditary chieftains over a pipeline that has been approved by 20 First Nations chiefs. From afar, the prime minister has suggested there be “dialogue” — a vague word that signals that he has no plan or even an inkling that he has one.

But here’s what leadership should do. Any discussions, or “dialogue,” are premature until the First Nations leaders and their followers stand down from their illegal actions. This is essential in order to demonstrate that discussions or “dialogue” are even worth pursuing with those involved in breaking the law.

If they do not — and some will not because they believe that Canada is not legitimately sovereign over their traditional lands — the only strategy is for the police or military to blockade the blockades. Armed perimeters should be established around “protests” areas, and nothing, and no person, should be allowed inside until they stand down. Communications should be shut down within the perimeter.

This will avoid violent confrontations, and will eventually impede the spread of blockades. But if this does not work, and radicals push back in defiance of court orders to desist, or aggressively try to breach the police blockade, then law enforcement must protect the public.

Lobbying for votes in Africa, and hobnobbing in Munich, or blaming the provinces, makes everything worse. The prime minister must sternly uphold the rule of law, and protect Canada’s lawful economic and resource development.

Let’s hope he does. But so far this year Canadians can only conclude that if you’re not there, then you don’t care.

Financial Post