Canada warns indigenous rail blockades could cripple economy

- The Canadian government warned Sunday that indigenous protests that have blocked rail lines for more than two weeks could cripple the economy, and urged a swift resumption of dialogue to end the crisis.

The main blockades -- which were set up around the country 18 days ago to protest a natural gas pipeline being built across indigenous lands in British Columbia -- were still in place Sunday, two days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for their immediate lift.

What had started as a localised protest by members of the Wet'suwet'en tribe opposed to the pipeline quickly spread across the country as others joined efforts to "shut down Canada."
He said tribal leaders "should immediately put out the message that while this dialogue is under way, the barricades should be lifted."