Report: CN, CP collaborate to circumvent some rail blockades

CN and Canadian Pacific since last week have been quietly sharing their rail lines to transport essential goods to communities in need during protest blockades of Canada's rail lines, the CBC reported Tuesday.

Protesters have crippled freight and passenger rail traffic on CN's line for more than two weeks. The blockades have been organized in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en Nation, whose hereditary chiefs oppose the construction of a natural gas pipeline through northern British Columbia.

On Monday, Ontario Provincial Police arrested 10 demonstrators on CN's line near Belleville in order to get rail traffic moving.

But, the CBC —  citing government sources — reported that a very "rare" collaboration between CN and CP resulted in CN trains circumventing the blockades using alternate routes, including some through the United States, to make deliveries of essential goods to Quebec and other communities facing shortages.

Transport Canada and Transport Minister Marc Garneau's office approached the two companies and helped negotiate the rail-sharing deal, which remains active in parts of Canada still dealing with the blockades, the CBC reported.

Garneau said the collaboration will not address the freight backlog completely, but it will help.