"Grand River Sewer Project Put On Hold"

Protesters have won a battle to stop a sewer line from crossing the Grand River - at least until summer.

The ministry of Natural Resources has told the city that any construction must be stopped and equipment removed from the river by March 1, ministry spokesman Rick Tapley said.

Work will not be permitted until July 1 at the earliest, he said.

Alex Jamieson, a supporter of the Six Nations traditional confederacy and one of the protesters spending time on the island, was relieved to hear the ministry's decision.

In the last week, protesters stopped occupying the island but have made daily checks to make sure the work had not resumed.

Mr. Jamieson welcomed news that, for the next few months at least, he will not have to worry about construction.

While the dispute over the protest may take a spring break, it has not been resolved.

"I don't know how it can be resolved," said Mr. Jamieson. The protesters have said they will block the sewer line until told to stop by the confederacy chiefs.

The confederacy can't allow the use of the land especially for this, he said.

In an effort to resolve the dispute, the city is negotiating with the elected council. The understanding is that the band council will bring the issue before the confederacy council.