Saskatoon’s Governance and Priorities Committe will discuss a possible shift of route for Via Rail Canada’s ‘Canadian’ at their meeting tomorrow.

In December, a group of mayors from Warman, Lloydminster, North Battleford and Yorkton proposed that the Canadian’s route be moved northward from its current route to Canadian National’s Prairie North Line.

They said the shift would offer a number of benefits for the passenger train, such as increasing the population the train serves, moving the Canadian away from heavier freight traffic, offering a more scenic route, bringing the train closer to several National Parks and Historic Sites, and connecting several Indigenous and rural communities.

Saskatoon becomes involved because VIA Rail’s new policy, allowing passengers to de-train for brief stays, presents the city with a chance to attract overnight visitors, which would boost the hospitality sector.

Discover Saskatoon says they are committed to supporting the initiative and are ready to engage further in this project, however next steps are subject to the direction of the GPC.