Support Resolution 1: Here's Why

Tomorrow is an important day at the Convention, and I urge delegates to support Resolution #1, the National Transportation Strategy.

Harper simply has not provided the national leadership expected of a Canadian government. As Canadians, we deserve the right to have equal opportunity for access to different modes of transit.

Sadly, fellow delegates, that equal opportunity is not the case.  We’ve all heard the stories about the cuts to VIA Rail and some of us travelling by VIA Rail to the convention even felt the effects of such cuts, be it in poor schedules, minimal service, failing wi-fi, train cars in poor condition, and more.

In small communities such as mine, since 2012, further cuts to train service have been devastating, resulting in severe hardship to many areas of the country. Sarnia, Stratford, St. Mary’s, Guelph, northern Ontario, and right across the country, from Western Canada to the Maritimes.

If we are true to what we are preaching, that equality and opportunity is what we as Liberals believe, then tomorrow, vote to recognize that by saying yes to Resolution #1.

The Harper government has allowed VIA Rail to base service on population, which is simply divisive and once again, shows the inability of this government to realize the reality that isolating communities from one another simply alienates us more and removes productivity and badly needed resources to small communities around the country.

Small communities depend on VIA service, whether for medical treatment, same day business trips, family trips, students who rely on the train to get back and forth from school to home each year for holidays, summer and other needs. Seniors, the disabled, and many others who may not drive, or be able to afford a car, also rely on the train. The need for train service is especially acute I small communities where there is no inter-city bus service, and what service there is available is at least 50% more than the national railway Canadians deserve. 

As a recently graduated fire-fighter, I’ve learned, saw and heard of many accidents driving down that highway that may have been preventable, if only there was a safe alternative for people actually needing to be somewhere, instead of winter driving. Not to mention those of us who would happily take the train if it meant a season of no winter driving.

I hear the argument already, that the only reason for cuts is low ridership, and that saving money is the fiscally responsible thing to do.  But the reality is that these are just excuses. It is late trains, high prices, terrible schedules, poor customer service, aging equipment and long layovers that frustrate potential customers.

If customers are comfortable, service is reliable, and the schedules are appropriate, ridership improves and the need for subsidy decreases.  Would you be happy if the only train leaving your community was leaving at 6:00 a.m. and returning at 9:00 p.m., if and when on time? 

Delegates, everyone here has a vested interest in ensuring that there is a national transportation strategy which recognizes the need for people to move equally around the country. For those of you with good service, consider how you would feel losing consistent service, and for those that face hardship from such cuts to their communities, it’s time to say YES.