What major infrastructure project was highly debated in relation to Riel's conflicts?

The Canadian Pacific Railway was a significant infrastructure project that became central to the tensions and conflicts involving Louis Riel, particularly during the Red River and North-West Rebellions. This railway was not just a means of transportation but also a symbol of the growing nation, connecting the eastern provinces with the West. Riel and his followers were concerned about how the construction of the railway and the accompanying influx of settlers would affect their land, rights, and way of life.

The railway represented a broader context of national expansion, which was often viewed as encroachment on Indigenous lands and rights. It played a crucial role in the debates regarding land use, settlement patterns, and the incorporation of Western territories into Canada. The discussions surrounding the railway highlighted issues of governance, representation, and the treatment of Métis and Indigenous populations, making it a pivotal point in Riel's conflicts with the Canadian government.

In contrast, the other options do not have the same historical significance in the context of Riel's struggles. The Trans-Canada Highway, while important, was developed much later. Infrastructure for urban development and the expansion of air travel routes were also not the central issues during Riel's time, emphasizing that the Canadian Pacific Railway was the major infrastructure project debated in relation