MP trying to restore passenger rail service on CPR line in Northern Ontario

Twenty years after the federal Progressive Conservative government led by prime minister Brian Mulroney, gutted the national passenger train service run by Via Rail, a member of parliament from Thunder Bay is trying to get it partially restored.

New Democratic Party MP for Thunder Bay- Superior North Bruce Hyer tabled a motion in the House of Commons last July 12, calling for passenger service to be restored to Thunder Bay and the scenic north shore of Lake Superior.

On January 15, 1990, the federal government cut Via Rail service by 55 percent, according to information on Wikipedia. The "Canadian" which had run on the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks, the nation's first transcontinental railway, built when another Conservative, John A. Macdonald was in office, was moved to the northern Canadian National Railways track -- less populated and far less scenic.

I came across a facebook group established by Alice Herculson called "Via Rail through Thunder Bay and North Shore of  Lake Superior -- we vote yes." As of December 27, it had more than 900 members. If you are on facebook, the group is open to join.

After seeing information on Mr. Hyer's motion she said in a post that her interest was "sparked" and she started the group. "I used to ride this train all the time! I would again if it was available. This is the most beautiful train ride!"

Speaking in the House, Mr. Hyer said “It was a privilege to submit a Motion on returning passenger rail service to Thunder Bay and the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior. This line was cut by the Conservative government of the late 1980’s, despite being VIA’s busiest route. Today, rail has been experiencing a renaissance because it is both environmentally friendly and efficient. This is one small step towards getting Canada back on track with passenger rail.”

Mr. Hyer, who served previously as President of the North of Superior Tourism Association (NOSTA) and on the board of directors of Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association (NOTO) told assembled MPs that “Returning VIA Rail to one of the most spectacular routes in the country - through Marathon, Terrace Bay, Schreiber, Nipigon, and Thunder Bay - will be a huge boost to those communities and to rail tourism alike.”

Of course, Mr. Hyer was speaking directly about the communities in his riding, but restoration of passenger rail service would also be a huge boost to other communities along the main line of the CPR including my hometown of Chapleau.

Eugene Bouillon, who was born and raised in Chapleau, attended college in Thunder Bay and now lives in White River wrote:  "Yes, VIA and the old "Canadian", is needed back on the North Shore, the most beautiful area in all of Canada, in my opinion. The train snakes along the Great Lake Superior, awesome view. I was born and raised in Chapleau and now live in White River, the train, is a very important part of our lives. WE NEED IT BACK."

One person on the group commented: "Everyone I knew used to take the train back and forth to college and university. It was a lot easier (and environmentally friendly) than everyone driving their kids down and back, etc. and it was FUN! and COOL! and BEAUTIFUL! I would choose the train in a minute for a relaxing adventure - no driving, you can get up up and walk around..."

I can relate to this comment. I travelled to and from Chapleau to school by train for five years as did so many from northern Ontario. And those trips are a story for another day.

Another comment:  "I think bringing the train back is a great idea! It would give us all a great alternative in travelling. I believe it will create a tourist attraction, and also bring in more jobs. It's a win win situation every way I look at it! Train rides are so peaceful with such beautiful views to offer!!"

And this one: " I am flying in to Thunder Bay, driving a borrowed car to Marathon, then driving said borrowed car to White River to put my son on the train to Sudbury - Via we need you!!!!!!!"

And:  "I am all for it, in Europe, trains are so comfortable, and enjoyable!!!! We would have less pollution, and safer roads!!! Win win situation."

I like this one:  "I also agree, it should never have been taken away.Best way for pensioners to travel."

Let's see if this grassroots group can help the MP achieve his goal.

Michael Ignatieff on Vancouver Canada Line on day Greyhound wants bus service cuts in Manitoba

As a federal election becomes a distinct possibility for this fall, Liberal Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff arrived in Vancouver Thursday taking the Sky Train on the city's newly opened Canada Line into downtown Vancouver. The symbolism can't be missed as the Canada Line was originally an initative of the former Liberal government, and Mr. Ignatieff addresses transportation policy in his new book, True Patriot Love.



His Sky Train ride came on the same day that Greyhound Bus Lines announced its plans to eliminate service in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario saying it simply can't afford to provide the service any longer. Greyhound is also reducing service in parts of rural British Columbia.



National transportation should really be a major election issue, given that for the past 20 years at least, nobody seems to have wanted to talk about it. For example, when I left Chapleau, Ontario, about 20 years ago, which is on the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, there was a daily transcontinental Via Rail train serving the community. Heading west the train passed through small Northern Ontario communities like Marathon, White River, Schreiber, Terrace Bay, Nipigon to Thunder Bay, then on to Kenora and Winnipeg, and across the Prairies to British Columbia. Eastbound it went to Sudbury, where it was split, one section heading off to North Bay and Montreal, or to Toronto. In fact, this is the national railway that John A. Macdonald had built to create Canada! Today there is no passenger service to speak of on the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks across Canada. A Budd Car runs from Sudbury to White River three days a week.



Via Rail does run a part-time passenger service from Vancouver to Montreal on the Canadian National Railway tracks through Edmonton to Saskatoon and Winnipeg and then across a vast relatively unpopulated area to Sudbury. It boggles my mind when I think that Calgary and Regina for example do not have daily transcontinental passenger train service.



Chapleau no longer even has bus service and it looks like rural Canadian communities are going to become even more isolated than they are now if Greyhound cuts its service as announced.



The turn back the clock and accept the status quo mentality that permeates municipal, provincial and federal goverments in Canada has to end. They need to be jolted into accepting that we face new realities because of their failure to properly serve the people who put them into office over the past 20 years and longer.



One place to start is with a national transportation policy equivalent to the vision that Sir John A. and the founders of Canada had in the 19th century.



In his book Mr. Ignatieff writes about the success of high speed passenger trains in Europe but in Canada studies have been done for 50 years on high speed between Vancouver and Calgary, Windsor to Quebec City and Calgary to Edmonton. Nothing happened. He suggests that if we are really nation builders we would start on them now. I agree with Mr. Ignatieff, and suggest that if he becomes prime minister he look at rural Canada and the needs of the people who live there too.