As Canada Day weekend kicks off across the provinces, the Canadian Natives have organised a day of protests to draw attention to issues such as unresolved land claims and poverty. This will involve marches in the major cities and blockades on major transport routes. One such blockade, on the 401 highway near Toronto, went into effect about 10pm last night – literally just after we drove past there as we headed over to Oakville for a wedding. It will certainly be interesting to see how this day plays out, with the police promising they will maintain peace and apprehend law breakers, and the natives promising they will ‘meet force with force’. Sounds familiar.