It was an admittedly strange site - a deserted section of Union Station at the start of a long holiday weekend. But for those hoping to catch a VIA train to Ottawa or Montreal, that silence was deafening. They were prevented from getting out early by the Native Day Of Action, a nationwide protest that saw huge barriers put up over the railway's tracks near Deseronto, just east of Belleville.
The scene has been the site of protests before and VIA wasn't taking any chances, cancelling all Friday service between Toronto and the two big cities in advance to avoid any problems. (See all the changes here.) Many have been left stranded by that decision and while VIA has vowed to refund the cost of any lost tickets or waive the service charge for changing them over, those left going nowhere are fuming.
While many sympathize with the natives' plight, most feel they have no right to take their troubles out on innocent Canadians. Others are taking it in stride, making alternate plans. "It's not a big problem," confesses Tom Clark. "But I'm glad I knew about it showing up today and finding out that it was not available."
Al Geroux is here from the U.S. The protest isn't making a good impression on him. "This morning, my wife and I are getting ready to come over here for breakfast and check in. Supposed to be over here at 10:30. [We read] in the paper this thing was going on and all trains going east were not going east."
CN Rail's cargo trains have also been stopped cold by the protestors' blockades. The company is angry, claiming it's losing as much as $100 million in deliveries for the day.
Service on both lines is expected to resume on Saturday.