Protesters rally against widespread transportation cuts

Canada is a country built around a railroad, and with Via Rail passenger service being cut again, one New Brunswick MP says it may be time for the government to reclaim the Canadian National Railway.

That was just one of the transportation problems that brought protesters together in Moncton Wednesday, while others expressed concern over the loss of the Acadian Lines buses and the ongoing Codiac Transpo lockout.

The rally was smaller than planned, but the protesters’ message was heard loud and clear.

“We cannot accept that Via Rail will go three times a week, only three times a week,” said Acadie-Bathurst MP Yvon Godin.

Transit representatives and transit users gathered at the rally in Moncton to denounce recent transportation cuts.

University student Kate Farquharson says students from northern New Brunswick will be isolated if rail service is discontinued.

“With the cuts that Via Rail and Acadian Bus Lines are creating before the end of the month of November, unfortunately makes it impossible for most students to go home,” says Farquharson.

Godin says the province needs to take a lead role in maintaining a link to northern New Brunswick.

“I believe the premier of this province has the responsibility to fight back publicly, publicly, not through the back door,” he says.

Godin also says the federal government should step up and reclaim the rail service that he believes should never have been sold in the first place.

“The government has the responsibility to say to CN ‘we have to have Via Rail to continue…if you don’t do it, we’ll take it back.’”

Organizers say Wednesday’s rally is one of many to come.

“In our opinion, once this service goes it’s not coming back,” says Patrick Murray, regional representative for the Canadian Auto Workers. “That’s why we’re urging every Atlantic Canadian and every Canadian in general to fight back, to write their MLAs, to write their MPs, to write their mayors.”

With Acadian Lines closing its doors for good by November 30, Murray says Via Rail should be deemed an essential service, forcing them to maintain full-time service throughout the Maritimes.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Jonathan MacInnis