OPSEU delegates denounce OPP raid on native protest

NEWS RELEASES

ONTARIO PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEES UNION

VIA RAIL CANADA

******************** OPSEU denounces OPP raid on First Nations protest

TORONTO, April 21 - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union has denounced the Ontario government and the Ontario Provincial Police for yesterday's pre-dawn raid on First Nations protestors at Caledonia. The delegates attending the 31st annual OPSEU Convention passed a resolution this morning, condemning the government and the OPP for this action, and demanding the government negotiate a peaceful resolution to this dispute. "The government and the OPP have failed to learn the lessons of Ipperwash," said OPSEU President Leah Casselman. "Our governments must negotiate, not escalate." OPSEU represents about 125,000 employees of the Ontario government, Ontario's community colleges, the LCBO, and more than 500 broader public sector employers such as hospitals, ambulance services, school boards, municipalities, social service agencies and private corporations.

*********************** Track blockage near Belleville, Ontario

CN closes line: VIA busing passengers on Toronto-Ottawa and Toronto-Montreal routes MONTREAL, April 21 - VIA Rail Canada has been informed by Canadian National that its Kingston Subdivision is now closed to all train operations, due to a track blockage in the Marysville area, near Belleville, Ontario.

Hence, today's trains operating between Toronto and Ottawa as well as between Toronto and Montreal, in both directions, are being replaced by chartered bus as of noon today. These alternative arrangements are in place for passengers with existing reservations.

VIA is not accepting new bookings for travel today on the affected routes at this time. Local service between Montreal and Ottawa, in both directions, is not affected. Buses will make all regularly scheduled stops at enroute VIA stations.

VIA will attempt to respect its scheduled departure and arrival times, but significant delays are nonetheless expected.

Customers wishing further information can call 1-888-VIA-RAIL.

No decision has been taken at this time with respect to passenger train operations this weekend.

A further update will be issued once more information is available.

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