Chris Warkentin, Member of Parliament for Grande Prairie – Mackenzie, responded to the ongoing
illegal blockades that have stopped rail traffic in protest of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline.
“Enough is enough, we can no longer allow these illegal blockades to hold Canada hostage,”
Warkentin said. “The rule of law is a foundation of our democracy and the law must be enforced.”
“Every single person in this country has the right to freedom of speech and the freedom to protest –
regardless of how much we agree or disagree with their message. They do not have the right to shut
down our railways and ports. They do not have the right to block everyday, honest Canadians getting
to and from work. And they do not have the right to block small businesses and farmers from getting
their goods to market.”
“Along with Canada’s Conservatives, I stand with everyday, hard-working Canadians, and most
importantly, we stand in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en people, with the elected councillors of the
Wet’suwet’en First Nation, and with the majority of hereditary chiefs from the Wet’suwet’en First
Nation, who welcome this project. Projects like these ensure Indigenous Canadians have the same
quality of life that everyone else in this country enjoys.”
“Justin Trudeau’s weak response to this national crisis fails to include a clear denunciation that the
blockades are illegal, and he has failed to provide an action plan that would put an end to the illegal
blockages and get our economy back on track.”
“If Justin Trudeau wanted to show leadership, he’d tell the RCMP to enforce the law, rather than
abdicating his responsibility as Prime Minister.”