TORONTO – Canadian Pacific Rail has drafted and released a letter supporting the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs in their quest for Nation-to-Nation talks.
The company is calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to open talks directly with the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs.
The move comes following a press conference in Ottawa where the Prime Minister has called for the barricades to come down.
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A2
Dear Prime Minister:
Canadian Pacific (CP) is severely impacted by the ongoing blockades across our rail network which began on February 8th, 2020 in support of the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs. The continuous and widespread disruption with no end in sight is creating critical safety and security concerns.
CP supports the Wet’suwet’en in its request for dialogue with the Prime Minister. I call on you to engage immediately in a direct dialogue with the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs.
Today, Secwepemculecw members near Chase, British Columbia, blockaded our western corridor. This blockade severs our rail access connecting the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest port, with the North American supply chain and the Canadian economy.
In addition, for the past twelve days, CP’s rail network has been blockaded by protesters at the Kahnawá:ke Mohawk territory, south of Montreal. This blockade has severed vital rail connections into Atlantic Canada and the United States.
I support the offer made today by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to move their officers away from the area where the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs have been opposing a pipeline on their traditional territory.
CP has acted honourably through direct and respectful engagement with our Indigenous partners. We fully understand their frustration and we support their desire for a quick resolution.
The time for rhetoric has long since passed. Resolution requires action now.
Sincerely,
Keith Creel
President and Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Pacific
c.c.:
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette
Governor General of Canada
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
The Honourable Marc Garneau, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Transport
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
The Honourable Marc Miller, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services
The Honourable Bill Blair, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Mr. Ian Shugart
Clerk of the Privy Council
