N.B. shale gas clash leads to protests across country
Southern Ontario highway blockaded for several hours
Demonstrations have popped up in Ontario and Manitoba in support of a native protest in New Brunswick, the scene of violent clashes Thursday between police and demonstrators.
In Caledonia, Ont., near Hamilton, native demonstrators blocked a highway for several hours.
Highway 6 was closed south of the town around 3 p.m. ET, with about 30 to 40 protesters involved in the blockade, said Const. Mark Foster with Haldimand County Ontario Provincial Police.
The Turtle Island News website said members of the Six Nations were blocking the highway in support of Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick.
The highway blockade was reported to have ended around 7:30 p.m. ET.
Members of Elsipogtog First Nation began blocking Route 134 near Rexton, N.B., on Sept. 30 to block shale gas development in the area.
On Thursday, clashes broke out after police moved in to remove the protesters, leading to at least five police vehicles being burned and the arrest of more than 40 demonstrators.
Route 134 was later reopened after police and protesters moved away from each other.
Elsewhere in New Brunswick, Chief Gabriel Atwin said members of the Kingsclear First Nation demonstrated peacefully on Route 105.
In Ottawa, demonstrators marched to Parliament Hill in a show of support for the native protesters in New Brunswick.
In downtown Winnipeg, about 50 people staged a march during rush hour, causing traffic congestion.