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Several rail and road blockades have sprung up across the country this week in support of a protest against the Coastal Gas pipeline in northern British Columbia. The blockades of several rail lines led to CN’s decision Thursday to close its Eastern Canada rail network, stopping freight traffic and potentially leading to layoffs.

That has also forced the closure of Via Rail routes right across the country.

Photo by REUTERS/Chris Helgren

Trudeau said Canada remained a country of the rule of law and his government would resolve the rail blockades that have crippled Canada’s railway networks.

“We are a country that recognizes the right to protest, but we are a country of the rule of law and we will ensure everything is done to resolve this,” he said.

Trudeau said his government was completely seized with the issue, but said it was up to police on the ground to decide how to enforce the law.

He said he supported people’s right to protest, but also they had to acknowledge the impacts the protests were having.

“This has been a really difficult week for Canadians; people having trouble getting to work, school or home, small business having trouble getting their goods to market, institutions like hospitals worried about resupply.”

He said he supported people’s right to protest, but also they had to acknowledge the impacts the protests were having.

“This has been a really difficult week for Canadians; people having trouble getting to work, school or home, small business having trouble getting their goods to market, institutions like hospitals worried about resupply.”