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Blockades of train tracks set up by groups protesting a pipeline under construction by TC Energy Corp. have resulted in more than 1,000 layoffs at rail companies and shortages of critical commodities in Eastern Canada.
VIA Rail Canada Inc. on Feb. 19 announced the temporary layoff of "close to 1,000" employees as the majority of the federal government-owned passenger service's network remained shut by protesters who have blocked the tracks. The shut routes include the Montreal-to-Toronto corridor, one of the company's busiest passenger regions. Montreal-based Via's trains run on tracks operated by Canadian National Railway Co., which shut down its operations in Eastern Canada on Feb. 13 amid the protests. Canadian National also laid off an undisclosed number of staff.
"This general interruption is an unprecedented situation in our history,"...