Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says blocking highways is unacceptable after traffic was brought to a standstill by First Nations protesters late last week.

Houston said in a Saturday evening statement that roadways “are our lifeblood” and need to be kept accessible for people travelling for critical reasons like medical appointments.

Potlotek First Nation says it rejects the RCMP’s description of earlier protests as an “illegal blockade” — but didn’t give specific legal rationale in a news release Saturday.