Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says his government will seek a court injunction to end a rail-line blockade west of Winnipeg.

The blockade is one of many protests across the country over a Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline in northern British Columbia that would cross the traditional territory of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation.

Pallister says he respects the rights of protesters, but laws need to be applied.

Blockades in other provinces have cancelled Via Rail passenger trains and forced freight trains to sit idle.

“The point is to make sure that we’re standing up for the freedoms and rights of all people, and not standing back while two-tier justice happens in our province,” Pallister told The Canadian Press on Wednesday.

“As much as we will always respect the right of protesters to have a voice, they don’t have a veto and … they don’t have the right to put their rights ahead of everyone else and to disregard the laws of our province and country.”

Protesters say in a statement they are standing up for Indigenous rights. “What’s happening can help our people and those who have conflict with industry in the future. Industry and police will have to think twice about how they handle projects and invading our territories.

“We hold all the cards and we aren’t going anywhere.”