Mayor Gary Philipchuk, of the City of Warman stands with Richard Gibbons, rail passenger researcher, Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers, Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley, and North Battleford Mayor David Gillan during a presentation in Saskatoon earlier this week to present a proposal that would see the VIA Rail Canadian switch over to the CN Prairie North Line. (Submitted Photo/Eric Healey)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

VIA Proposal

North Battleford and Lloydminster among communities pitching change to VIA Rail service

Dec 15, 2023 | 4:54 PM

Riding the rails has always had a romantic essence. Sitting in train cars and watching a myriad of Canadian landscapes pass by their windows may once again be experienced by people living in North Battleford and Lloydminster.

“It was also had the opportunity to connect with a lot of folks federally, provincially, municipally along the route especially,” said Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers.

“We sought out those municipalities that would be greatly…benefiting from the rail coming through, First Nations, tribal councils, user groups, and associations that have connections to rail.”

According to a news release, a new proposal has been developed by five communities that would see a re-routing of the service of passenger train VIA Rail Canadian over to the CN Prairie North Line from its current Main Line “within the Saskatoon North Prairie Line for Growth (P4G).”

“It originated out of North Battleford actually,” said Mayor David Gillan.

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The idea to develop a concept that would eventually lead to a proposal to connect Yorkton, Canora, Humbolt, Warman through to Saskatoon and onto the Battlefords and Lloydminster was the brainchild of Ferroequinologist (train enthusiast) Richard Gibbons over coffee about six years ago with the former mayor of North Battleford Ryan Bater and Aalbers.

Gillan said when he was elected three years ago, there was a file on his desk and he and Aalbers took the reins.

“We pushed this project along, we engaged consultants paid for by…the City of North Battleford and Lloyd and (Battlefords Agency Trible Chiefs),” he said, noting they built the concept out and Gibbons has worked tirelessly on this project.

“We invited Warman, Yorkton, Vagreville, Vermillion, all these places to join us.”

The group has been developing the idea over several years and is now at the place where they can engage with Saskatoon.

Meanwhile, Aalbers explained that because VIA Rail rents track space from the CN Main Line, they’re on-time performance results have decreased in the last decade due to priority given to the freight trains.

“Basically, VIA is left parked there on the side – on a siding – while these trains move by and when…they get able to go they go so they arrive four – four – hours late, sometimes four days late depending on the destination and the local,” he said.

“This is a serious matter from VIA Rail’s perspective and that’s what we wanted to bring to people’s attention as well.”

According to the proposal, the move to the CN Prairie North Line will potentially give 128,000 passengers from larger centres a chance to get up closer to scenic views of parks and historic sites. It’ll be able to connect to more communities and make connections not seen in the area since the early 1980’s.

While the train company has yet to accept the proposal and there is still much work to be done, both mayors are encouraged with the process.

“There’s just lots and lots of opportunities here,” said Gillan.

“I have a vision of that old station being brought back to life and tourists stopping here and going to Fort Battleford and going to Allan Sapp Gallery and we’re able to develop much more tourism and business here.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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