Blockade affects VIA Rail trains

Toronto-Kingston passengers on buses

By Canadian Press - Posted Toronto Sun
April 20, 2007

MARYSVILLE, Ont. — A protest over disputed land was preventing CN freight and Via Rail passenger trains from travelling through eastern Ontario on Friday.

The protest, by members of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, began around midnight as part of a land-claims dispute in the region.

CN Rail spokesman Mark Hallman said the “entire corridor“ between Montreal and Toronto was being affected by the blockade.

“As of 6:30 a.m. Friday, there were 14 CN freight trains affected and four Via Rail trains affected as well,” said Hallman.

Via Rail said buses were being used to transport passengers between Toronto and Kingston.

“This is of significant concern to the company as this dispute has nothing to do with CN,” said Hallman. “We’re working with authorities on this matter — we want to resolve this issue as soon as possible.”

The protest revolves around a developer’s plan to build condominiums near Desoronto, Ont., on land claimed by the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.

Protesters set up barricades outside a gravel quarry in the area about a month ago and shifted the protest to the tracks overnight.

“The track was one of targets on a list because the quarry issues have not been resolved,” said protest leader Shawn Brant. He said it was his plan to “close the tracks for 48 hours.”

Ontario Provincial Police said they were monitoring the protest, but had not moved in to remove the blockade.

The federal government has appointed a land-claims negotiator to try to resolve the long-running dispute, but Brant has said the talks were moving too slowly.