TORONTO — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday indigenous barricades that are blocking rail service across Canada and hurting the economy have to come down now. The crisis is daily stranding goods worth an an estimated 425 million Canadian dollars ($340 million), according to the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters trade group. Trudeau said the army won’t be called in, saying troops aren’t used against Canadian citizens. Trudeau has made reconciliation with Canada’s First Nations a priority for his government but the blockades could risk public support. Quebec Premier Francois Legault said the disruption is costing the province about 100 million Canadian dollars ($75 million) a day.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer February 21, 2020 22:52 UTC