‘We are losing control’: Quebec premier warns shortages imminent if blockades continue

Quebec Premier François Legault’s patience is running thin as he warns the province will face a shortage of goods as soon as Wednesday if the blockades on Canada’s rail lines don’t come to an end.

“This has to be lifted,” he told reporters at the provincial legislature. “It’s worse every day.”

The ongoing protests in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Nation hereditary chiefs in British Columbia have also led to a growing pile of containers and a lack of space at the Port of Montreal, he added.

Legault is also calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to intervene as the demonstrations continue to disrupt service on commuter and freight railways across the country.

While Trudeau said on Tuesday it is “past time” for a peaceful resolution to end the blockades, Legault argues there needs to be immediate action if he doesn’t want the province to face a crisis.

“We are losing control,” he said. “I don’t want to be back in the middle of a propane crisis with the farmers. I don’t want to find myself to not have planes taking off because we no longer have fuel.”

Legault’s comments come as a group of business leaders also urged for action to restore service. Dennis Darby, the CEO of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, said at a press conference in Toronto that $425 million of goods are being help up every day.

“This issue is beyond serious,” said Darby. “It’s critical.”

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