CN Rail said it's business as usual throughout northern B.C. even though the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs and members of the Gitxsan nation put out a press release yesterday saying they will shut down the railway running through their territories last night.
CN director of communications and public affairs, Mark Hallman, said operations remain fluid and normal and there have been no interruptions
“The British Columbia and Canadian governments are working to address issues raised by Gitxsan chiefs, and CN hopes the process will resolve the situation. Only the governments are in a position to address the outstanding issues,” Hallman added.
The threat of a railway closure comes less than a month after the Gitxsan nation ordered all those involved in sport fisheries, the forest industry and CN Rail to leave their territory by Aug. 4.
The original eviction notice said that businesses and government operations will not able allowed back on the 33,000 km territory until both Crowns have obtained the required consent of the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs.
The Gitxsan Chiefs believe the Crowns have carried on fraudulent consultation process in regards to BC Timber Sales and have not implemented any consultations before allowing sportfishing and transportation of goods by CN Rail.
In a press release from the Gitxsan Treaty Society, a meeting between Gitxsan Chiefs, federal and provincial representatives as well as CN Rail on Aug. the 4 was fruitless.
The release said the Crown failed to confirm a process to withdraw offers of Gitxsan lands and rights to the Kitselas and Kitsumkalum Indian Bands. The Gitxsan said they have been making efforts for two years to work with both levels of government to solve the matter.
A call to the Gitxsan Treaty Society wasn't immediately returned.