As a mother of three, the decision to live in rural Canada provides my family with a safe environment to grow up in a cohesive community structure and a love of rural Canada unavailable to most children.
It is with a sense of extreme disappointment (that I) acknowledge that I have become disenchanted with continuing to reside in Ethelbert, Man.
On Oct. 17, I received the negative decision regarding the village’s application to the Canadian Transportation Agency to retain our Cowan subdivision rail line. There are not enough words to express the profound sense of frustration, disillusionment and, frankly, exasperation for a struggle I felt was so important.
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Now that the scrapping of our rail line is a forgone conclusion, it’s time to reflect on future battles.
I had the opportunity to present my thoughts to the Review Panel currently examining how the legislation, which affects our transportation system, can be improved by adding competition through a regional railway.
My message to the Panel was simple – ensure there is a moratorium on rail abandonment while the Review is ongoing or these competitive measures forthcoming from the Panel will be futile.
I have to say that if the Panel supports OmniTrax’s bid to create a regional railway it will be bittersweet: wonderful for the rest of rural Western Canada, but too late for Ethelbert….
I have been criticized for being melodramatic, but the desire to prevent the untimely demise of our community sustains me. Any community would feel the same way.
– Vi Lawlor,
Ethelbert, Man.
