Idle No More blockade affecting propane industry
First Nations protest may close plants
A First Nations blockade of a Canadian National Railway Co. link between the Sarnia, Ont., petrochemical industry and mainlines has disrupted rail shipments of propane.
The barrier on the spur line, over which an average 450 Canadian National rail cars pass each day, began Dec. 21, said Jim Feeny, a Montrealbased spokesman for the company. The disruption may force petrochemical plants to shut, he said.
“The blockade is impacting propane supplies to points east in Ontario, into Quebec and as far away as Atlantic Canada,” Jim Facette, chief executive in Ottawa for the Canadian Propane Association, a trade group, said by telephone Friday. A Pembina Pipeline Corp. propane terminal in Sarnia has been shut due to the disruption, he said.
Pembina Pipeline’s Empress East natural gas liquids system includes 20,000-barrels-aday fractionation capacity in Sarnia, the company’s website says. Pembina spokesman Jason Fydirchuk didn’t immediately respond to emailed questions.
The blockade was initially organized by the Aamjiwnaang First Nation to bring attention to another First Nation’s attempt to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, said Ron Plain, a spokesman for the Aamjiwnaang.
Protesters now say the Canadian National Railway line runs illegally over their property and are demanding that the same environmental restrictions applied to chemical shipments in Canada be extended to First Nations land, he said.
“There are no legal issues with our rail line,” Feeny said. “It does run through First Nations property but we have title to the land.
“In terms of environmental standards that apply to chemical shipments, these are Transport Canada’s standards, which apply across the country and we are in full compliance with.”