The company announced this week it aims to transfer its operations from Jasper to Hinton about 100 kilometres east in Alberta, come September 2025.
A company memo sent to about 200 impacted workers on Monday says the change will improve efficiency by reducing stops between Edmonton and Blue River, B.C. on the western side of the Rocky Mountains.
Ireland says CN Rail’s presence in town, which dates back over a century, is a key part of the community’s identity and he hopes the company will reconsider.
“This removal will have a profound impact on local jobs and local families,” Ireland told reporters Friday at a virtual news conference. “And undeniably on our community fabric, which will be torn and weakened immeasurably.”
Ireland said the timing of the move only intensifies the harm felt in Jasper after a wildfire destroyed one-third of the town’s homes and businesses in July and displaced 2,000 residents.
“My thoughts are with the impacted CN employees and their families as they face this unwanted and unwelcome transition,” he said.
“These people contribute in a significant way to the fabric of our community, and to face the prospect of their removal from Jasper is just so incredibly sad for all of us.”
In a statement Thursday, the president of the union that represents the affected workers said the company’s plan is “cruel.”
“Rail is one of the largest industries in Jasper, after tourism, and CN’s move will cripple this community even further,” said Paul Boucher, president of Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.
“At a time when Jasper residents are still trying to pull their lives back together, CN is once again putting profits over people, oblivious to the needs of its employees and the community.”
Ashley Michnowski, a spokesperson for CN Rail, said in an email that the company made the decision carefully.
“Jasper will always remain an important community for CN and our employees,” she said. “While we do not anticipate any changes to take effect until September of 2025 at the earliest, it was important for us to have these conversations now.
Since the fire, CN Rail employees based in Jasper have been reporting to work in Hinton.
Recovery work in Jasper continued this week.
Global News
