Protests in city, elsewhere proof of ‘challenging and uncertain time,’ says Clark
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark hopes higher levels of government can find a resolution to the issues that have prompted Indigenous protests and rail blockades across Canada.
Clark spoke to reporters during a break from a city council meeting Monday, while several blocks west, protesters continued to occupy land near a rail crossing in the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood.
The protesters set up a rail blockade Saturday in solidarity with opposition by some Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs to a proposed gas pipeline in British Columbia. The Saskatoon protesters allowed a train to pass at reduced speed Saturday evening and trains continue to proceed.
“I think right now the primary concern is that people are safe, that the protests are peaceful and we’ve heard every indication from the protesters that that’s the intention,” Clark said. “We’re in a challenging and uncertain time right now. It’s important that as politicians that we leave it to our police services to manage these situations appropriately and not get involved in the operation concerned. But I am keeping an eye on this.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that the blockades must end, and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe praised the Liberal prime minister for his leadership.
Trudeau said efforts to communicate with Wet’suwet’en leaders had been unsuccessful.
Clark, who leads a council that has made reconciliation with Indigenous peoples a priority, said he’s hearing from businesses and others that are affected by the blockades.
“Certainly, the economic uncertainty that’s been created is a challenge and also we know that there’s hopes and expectations that we’re going to be able to have meaningful progress on reconciliation as well,” Clark said. “And somehow we need real strong leadership at all levels to make sure that we can come forward with a path that will be meaningful.”
Clark said he has conveyed to the federal government his belief that the path forward in Canada needs to resolve tensions created by resource development, climate policy and reconciliation.
“I know these issues around reconciliation, we’re on the front lines of them in many ways in Saskatoon,” Clark added. “I think this is a time for dialogue.”