Economist Podcasts Clash pipe: Canada’s widening protests
Feb 26, 2020
John Iverson, The Economist's correspondent in Canada, sheds light on the indigenous-led protests that have transformed a gas-pipeline dispute into a national crisis. He discusses the tension between economic development and indigenous rights and Prime Minister Trudeau's challenge in addressing accountability. Meanwhile, Roger McShane reflects on Hosni Mubarak's nearly 30-year reign in Egypt, examining his complex legacy amid the Arab Spring and how it shaped regional stability. Both conversations reveal deep societal divisions and ongoing struggles for justice.
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Pipeline Protest Origins
- Protests initially focused on a gas pipeline planned by Coastal GasLink on Wet'suwet'en land.
- The Wet'suwet'en claim the land is unceded territory requiring their permission for construction.
Deeper Issues
- The pipeline protests tap into broader Indigenous land rights and justice issues.
- Successive Canadian governments have largely overlooked these concerns.
Community Divide
- Many Wet'suwet'en members, particularly in areas with lower life expectancy and incomes, actually support the project for its potential economic benefits.
- This division highlights the complexities within Indigenous communities regarding resource development.