CN pulling rail workers out of Jasper as Alberta mountain town rebuilds from wildfire

The Canadian National Railway Company (CN) has announced it's moving its crew change terminal out of Jasper, Alta.

The terminal will be moved from Jasper to a new location about 100 kilometres east, in the Hinton/Dalehurst area, CN said in a letter to Jasper-based employees dated Sept. 16.

The letter said the decision is aimed at improving "network fluidity" between Edmonton and Blue River/McBride, B.C. The change is scheduled to take effect by September 2025, according to Ashley Michnowski, media relations for CN. 

"We were very disappointed," said Ray Donegan, general chairperson of Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.

WATCH | CN workers unsure if they can stay in Jasper after company relocates crew terminal:

CN workers unsure if they can stay in Jasper after company relocates crew terminal

2 months ago

Duration 2:07

As Jasper residents are starting to rebuild after the wildfire, one of the municipality’s largest employers is leaving the Alberta mountain town. CN Rail is moving its crew terminal to Hinton, about 100 kilometres east. Now the union representing the workers is worried they won’t be allowed to live in the national park.

CN is one of the largest employers in Jasper, a community that largely depends on tourism. 

"It's the CN Rail employees that are driving the economy outside the tourist season," said Donegan. 

Roughly 200 people work for CN in Jasper, said Donegan. Of those, about 50 people lost their homes when a wildfire hit the community in July. 

Dave Bilodeau, a longtime CN employee born and raised in Jasper, lost his rental unit in the fire. 

While Bilodeau had to relocate to Hinton to find a place to live, he hoped the move was only temporary. 

"I love Jasper," he said.

"I want to live there." 

One-third of the buildings in Jasper burned down in the July wildfire. Since then, Jasper workers have been reporting to Hinton while the CN bunkhouse is being restored, according to a letter sent from CN to employees. 

The majority of CN workers who report out of Jasper, already live in the Hinton area, said Donegan. 

A major worry if CN moves operations out of Jasper is whether workers will have to leave the town, said Donegan.

Jasper National Park has an eligible residency clause that was designed to ensure housing is available for people who work in Jasper. The clause covers employees, business operators and eligible retirees, while limiting recreational or second-home use, said a spokesperson for Parks Canada.

The statement said Parks Canada is committed to understanding how these changes by CN may impact residents in relation to the need to reside requirements. 

Since Bilodeau's spouse works for the Jasper Legion, he hopes that might allow the couple to remain in Jasper. 

"I love my job," he said. 

"I understand why CN wants to do it, but it's still very hard." 

While CN's decision to leave Jasper could be driven by many factors, "the timing of this announcement intensifies and deepens the pains already felt throughout Jasper," said Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland in a statement to CBC. 

"The loss of a major employer like CN in a small town creates immeasurable challenges."

However, the move could mean a growth spurt for Hinton.

"We welcome the workforce that's coming to our community and we're looking forward to having those new neighbours," said Hinton Mayor Nicholas Nissen.

"There's been rumours about this within the community for years, and now they're of course substantiated," he said.