Protest causes Via Rail delays after demonstration backs up Highway 401 traffic
A small group of protesters supporting the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs in B.C. slowed down rail and vehicle traffic in eastern Ontario on Wednesday.
Traffic slowed for several hours on Hwy. 401 from Cornwall to Napanee, while the protest caused delays for Via Rail service near Belleville for several hours.
Via Rail tweeted Wednesday afternoon that the protest may lead to delays outside their control. Passengers on social media reported being stopped on a train in Kingston.
Via Rail's website showed delays on trains along the Toronto-Montreal corridor. One passenger told CTV News Ottawa that they were on a stuck train in Belleville for about an hour.
Train service was back to normal late Wednesday afternoon.
A convoy left Cornwall around 8 a.m., travelling west toward Napanee. The demonstration is in support of Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs in B.C., who are fighting against the construction of a pipeline through their territory.
The convoy of eight vehicles passed through Brockville around 10 a.m., going about 40 kilometres per hour and flying flags.
"Mayhem traffic, from just south of Montreal to here," said Louis Ingribelli, describing the traffic on the road on Wednesday.
"It's frustrating. You want to be somewhere on time and you can't get there on time. Just want to carry on with my day."
A line of traffic about 20 kilometres long stretched behind the vehicles, who had a police escort.
"I'm definitely against the expansion of fuel as a primary source," said Robert Smith. "I agree with this protest as far as that goes."
Some commuters tell CTV News Ottawa the delays on the 401 are a small price to pay.
"Yes, I think it was worth it," said one commuter. "You have to attract attention to these things. You can't just let it go."
The OPP reported the convoy ended just after 3 p.m.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Josh Pringle
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
LIVE @ 1:15 PT B.C. premier to give announcement related to public drug use
B.C.'s premier is scheduled to give an update Friday about public drug use in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.