It is important to protect essential services in Northern Manitoba.

That was my message to the CEO of Via Rail when I met with him recently along with our Manitoba transportation minister.

Via Rail provides an important link to Pukatawagan and along the Bayline. In recent years there have been problems with the condition of the track that have caused numerous problems with passenger rail service.

At the end of last year Via Rail announced that it would be going from three times a week service to two times a week service with a local train to provide service to Thicket Portage, Pikwitonei and Ilford. This caused significant concerns, especially in Churchill. Three times a week train service is absolutely vital.

I immediately wrote to the federal minister urging the government to ensure the maintenance of full service. I took the initiative to go directly to Via Rail to speak out on behalf of the many people in our region that rely on this service.

I pointed out that the track is receiving major repairs as part of an agreement funded by the federal and provincial governments and Omnitrax.

Via Rail has maintained three-day a week service in the short run because it did not provide adequate notice to the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) union pursuant to its collective agreement.

As MP for Churchill I will be continuing to fight to maintain three times a week rail service on the Bayline. It needs to be recognized as an essential service.