Jasper Mayor Warns of Devastation from CN Rail Relocation
CN Rail's plan to move operations to Hinton in 2025 will impact jobs and community recovery efforts post-wildfire.
- CN Rail announced it will transfer operations from Jasper to Hinton, Alberta, by September 2025, affecting approximately 200 workers.
- Mayor Richard Ireland expressed deep disappointment, highlighting the move's detrimental impact on local jobs and community identity.
- The announcement comes as Jasper is still recovering from a July wildfire that destroyed one-third of the town's homes and businesses, displacing 2,000 residents.
- Union representatives criticized CN Rail's decision as 'cruel,' emphasizing the importance of the rail industry to Jasper's economy, second only to tourism.
- Recent federal and provincial aid, including nearly $150 million for disaster recovery, aims to help Jasper rebuild and regain control over local development.