Mr. Speaker, the government cannot wash its hands of this. Some $2.2 million is how much the current government spends on advertising every 10 days to promote itself, but when the chips are down it claims it is broke. The irony is not lost on the people affected by this.
However, there is still a chance to do the right thing for the lodges and outfitters that will be most affected by the end of ACR passenger services. Unfortunately, it is expected that the loss of service will force some of these outfitters out of business altogether.
I have received a great many messages from tourists as well, who have travelled from all over the world to ride the rails to these remote destinations. They tell me that the train is a big part of the experience and that its loss will affect their desire to return.
I am sure that most members are aware that sport fishing is a multi-billion-dollar industry in North America. Although many outfitters are accessible by well-maintained public roads, there are unfortunately only a few that offer the unique experience of arriving by train.
Will the government do the right thing and come up with the funds to maintain this passenger service in order to protect businesses, which it appears to be abandoning?