The allegory of the rail.

In February, subzero temperatures in Canada can cause logistics disruptions.  This year, in addition to the weather, there is a massive rail blockage triggered by the Wet'suwet'en, an indigenous nation in British Columbia.

“Rail lines across Canada have been paralysed for almost two weeks after being blockaded by indigenous protesters and their supporters,” reported the BBC on February 20.

Though the specific issue triggering the response across Canada is specific to British Columbia, the blockade actions have spread to other locations across Canada.

According to the Los Angeles times, “protesters created a rail roadblock in Ontario, and sympathy protests popped up as far away as the Maritime Provinces, more than 2,800 miles from the site where Coastal GasLink plans a $5-billion project.”

Is the Canadian situation a government challenge?  A private sector challenge?  Or is it just another example of the risks associated with the government and private sector interface?

Think about rail choke points in the United States, and consider your risk profile with the Canadian situation in mind.  Supply Chain Risk Management matters