WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Protests broke out in
many parts of Canada over the past week, triggered by arrests of
dozens of protesters on traditional indigenous land along a
route for TC Energy Corp's planned Coastal GasLink
pipeline.
The demonstrations have disrupted freight and passenger rail
and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday urged
protesters to find a quick solution.
WHAT ARE THE PROTESTS ABOUT?
The flashpoint was police arrests that started last week in
northern British Columbia of protesters who oppose the
pipeline's construction on traditional land of the Wet'suwet'en
indigenous people.
The C$6.6-billion ($4.98 billion) Coastal GasLink is set to
run through British Columbia, bringing natural gas to the coast
where a Royal Dutch Shell-led group is building a
liquified natural gas export terminal. In December, a private
equity firm KKR & Co Inc consortium agreed to buy a 65%
stake in the pipeline.
Some 28% of the 670-km (420-mile) route passes through
Wet'suwet'en lands.
WHO ARE THE PROTESTERS?
Some protesters are Wet'suwet'en while others are indigenous
people protesting in sympathy with the Wet'suwet'en as well as
non-indigenous people who are concerned about First Nations or
environmental issues.
Many of them say that forcibly removing indigenous people
from their lands is out of step with Canada's stated goal of
improving relations with First Nations.
WHERE DO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE STAND ON COASTAL GASLINK?
All elected officials of the 20 indigenous communities along
the pipeline route, including Wet'suwet'en elected leaders,
support Coastal. It would bring economic benefits to some of
Canada's most impoverished communities.
Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs say that they hold authority
for the community's traditional lands, not the elected councils,
and they oppose Coastal for its potential impact on forest and
rivers.
The indigenous issues are further complicated by the fact
that much of British Columbia is unceded territory - meaning
there are no treaties between the Canadian government and
indigenous groups.
WHAT IS AT STAKE?
Canadian National Railway Co, the country's biggest
railroad, said on Tuesday it would be forced to shut down parts
of its network unless rail line blockades are removed.
Ports also faced protests. Canada exports the vast majority
of the grain, potash and crude oil that it produces.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Wet'suwet'en chiefs have called for police to cease
enforcement of a December court injunction against protesters
blocking construction.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, whose province depends on oil
and gas revenue, on Tuesday called for police to step up
enforcement, saying the protests are about ideology that is
opposed to fossil fuels, not indigenous issues.
($1 = 1.3258 Canadian dollars)
(Reporting by Rod Nickel in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Editing by
Cynthia Osterman)
