'Tear down this blockade': MPP calls for Caledonia roadblock to be removed

The MPP forHaldimand-Norfolk says businesses along Highway 6 are suffering because of an "illegal"roadblock and is calling on anyone who can help to "tear down this blockade."

But when asked by CBC, Toby Barrett remained vague aboutwho exactly he's hoping will respond to his call to action.

The PC MPP initially said his message was for the people who put up the pallets and parked the vehicles blocking the highway. Healso noted government shouldn't tell police what to do.

Which leaves the question of who he's appealing to and what he's asking them to do.

"I address it to anyone out there who wants to help," said Barrett.

"I'm not offering a solution. I'm not directing anyone to tear it down. I'm not going to tear it down," he later added, saying his role is to "raise awareness" of what his constituents are dealing with.

Barrett's statements comeafter he stood up in Queen's Park Tuesday and asked for help re-opening the road.

"We respect the rights of a peaceful protest, but enough is enough. Tear down this blockade," hesaid to scattered applause at Queen's Park Tuesday.

The Highway 6 bypass between Argyle Street South and Greens Road has been shut down since Feb. 24.

Demonstrators say they've blocked the road in solidarity with Wet'suwet'enhereditary chiefs, whooppose construction of the Coastal GasLinkpipelinethrough their territory in northern B.C. and said theyintend to stay until their demands are met.

"The onus is now on Justin Trudeau, on the OPP, on the RCMP to withdraw from our territories,"Colleen Davis, a member of the Mohawk Nation (Bear Clan), previously told CBC.

"We have our own self-governing systems that we abide by and that's what we are standing up for. That's how we're going to get things moving forward if they can come appreciate and acknowledged the true title owners of the lands."

CBC is seeking comment from the demonstrators.

For the past 16 days provincial police have been providing updates on the closure at 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., warning drivers to expect delays and asking themto "please be patient if impacted."

A spokesperson for the OPP said there were no further updates on the blockade or anyplans to dismantle it.

In a media release dated March 4 the OPP said theMinistry of Transportation put up temporary barriers around the blockade.

"Public safety remains paramount during this demonstration event," stated a media release, adding changing weather could cause dangerous conditions.

Barrett used a different word to describe the blockade during his comments at Queen's Park.

He calledthe people who had shut down the road"activists" and said the blockade is"dangerous" because it's forcing traffic to be rerouted over a bridge built in 1927 that "should have been replaced 18 years ago."

"Our area's economy on both sides of Highway 6 are struggling," said Barrett. "Stores are closing. It's disheartening the Canadian government continues to remain silent."

While speaking with CBC, the MPP also noted the area has a history of tension around road blocks, most notably the lengthy standoff over disputed lands in 2006 that went on for several months.

"We know emotions run high and when the law is forced into people's own hands often they take action," he explained, before quickly adding"people in our area no longer have an appetite for that."

Damage to infrastructure a safety concern

Dan Lawrence, who represents Haldimand County on the Caledonia BIA said he can't speak about the impact on businesses overall, but said he has been in contact with a couple that couldn't point to any "significant changes" because of the blockade.

But, Lawrence added, that doesn't mean the difference will be felt in the long run.

"This is not good and will only foster a decline if allowed to continue."

The more immediate worryfor Lawrence is centred on safety. He said the blockade made driving through Caledonia an "absolute nightmare."And detours mean increased traffic that's wearing down rural roads and bridges.

"The decay of that infrastructure is causing a safety concern," he explained, adding the damage will also take "lots of dollars to fix.

Compared to the weeks-long rail blockade in Tyendinagathat halted freight and passenger trains and resulted in 10 arrests, blocking Highway 6 just hurts locals, according to Lawrence.

He said the blockade needs to come down for the good of both the town and Six Nations territory.

"We're collateral damage. This isn't doing one bit of good to foster any talks with the powers that be. Caledonia and Six Nations? We mean nothing to the economic engine of Canada."