FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 3, 2020
QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett called on the blockades to come down in Caledonia during a statement in the Ontario Legislature today.
“The illegal blockade of Highway 6 at Caledonia must come down. It’s a position I’ve consistently fought for over the past 14 years,” he said in the Legislature.
The blockade on Highway 6 is part of a national effort to block rail lines in a show of solidarity with hereditary Wet’suwet’en chiefs opposed to the construction of the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline in British Columbia.
“Illegal blockades are dangerous and seriously hinder the movement of people, goods and services,” Barrett said. “Illegal blockades that force tractor-trailers and heavy trucks onto county roads have proven very dangerous. The Caledonia bypass blockade must come down.”
The provincial government is calling on its federal counterpart to address the situation.
“We respect the right to assemble, but enough is enough. People are being hurt and their livelihoods affected,” he said.
Barrett first raised this issue with other MPPs, cabinet ministers and the premier last week. He is continuing those efforts this week.
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For more information contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org
ONTARIO LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLEY
Draft Hansard
March 3, 2020
ROAD SAFETY
Mr. Toby Barrett: The illegal blockade of Highway 6 at Caledonia must come down. It’s a position I’ve consistently fought for over the past 14 years. Illegal blockades are dangerous and seriously hinder the movement of people, goods and services. Illegal blockades that force tractor-trailers and heavy trucks onto county roads have proven very dangerous. The Caledonia bypass blockade must come down.
The Caledonia blockade is part of an ongoing national insurgence. Protestors have blocked rail lines in several parts of Canada to show a solidarity with hereditary Wet’suwet’en chiefs opposed to the construction of the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline in British Columbia. The provincial government continues to call on the federal government to continue to step up and take responsibility with a coordinated plan of action to dismantle illegal blockades.
We respect the right to assemble, but enough is enough. People are being hurt and their livelihoods affected. I’m in my second week at Queen’s Park pushing this position with my colleagues, with members of cabinet, and the Premier. I and my staff are on the ground at Caledonia and Hagersville, monitoring and communicating. Caledonia needs some help.