Two Saskatchewan MP’s are calling on the federal government to address the lack of reliable and safe transportation in Northern Saskatchewan.
Since the closure of the Saskatchewan Transportation Company, bus service in the north has been non existent.
The provincial government stated it would cost $85 million over five years in subsides to keep it running.
As well ridership has declined, with the private sector seeing the same issues.
“For months, people in northern Saskatchewan have been fighting for safe and affordable public transportation,” MP Georgina Jolibois said during Question Period Friday. “The government simply does not understand that public transportation is a necessary service for many in the north to see their doctors, to have surgery or to welcome a new baby.”
Saskatoon West MP Sheri Benson also urged the Liberals to take action. “Since the shutdown of the STC, many women fleeing domestic violence have had to hitchhike or turn to Kijiji to get a ride to a shelter,” said Benson. “Last January, the Minister of Innovation told the House that his government would work with me to look for a meaningful solution to this crisis. To this day, I have heard absolutely nothing.”
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities François-Philippe Champagne says Ottawa is investing into northern transportation. “We are investing across Canada. Our plan for infrastructure is more than $187 billion, which will see investment in northern and rural communities in public transport.”
Champagne suggested in the Commons that good news will be coming, but did not say when or what.
(The view from inside one of STC’s last trips. Photo by Chelsea Laskowski.)