Via Rail is still running its passenger trains in northern Manitoba even though protests over a natural gas pipeline have shut down the service in most of Canada.

Via says it is still operating on a line owned by Hudson Bay Railway between The Pas and Churchill and will not be cancelling their passenger trains due to anti-pipeline blockades.

Blockades on key rail lines have been set up over the Coastal GasLink pipeline project opposed by hereditary chiefs in northern British Columbia.

This announcement came shortly after Canadian National Railway stated they would be stopping all their transcontinental trains across its Canadian network.

VIA Rail has apologized to customers for the inconvenience, saying they will automatically refund anyone who has purchased tickets. They note it could take up to 15 days.

CN Rail has obtained court orders and requested help from enforcement agencies to stop the blockades. They say they have received help in Manitoba, and things are improving in British Columbia. But they note they have not received much assistance in Ontario.

Protesters have been putting up blockades to show support for the Wet'suwet'en First Nation in northern B.C.

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister has criticized the blockades and says his government will seek injunctions if any more go up in the province.