Transportation tops list of election issues in Gasp region

CBC asked voters in the riding ofGaspsieles-de-la-Madeleine whichelection issues matter the most to them and then put their questions to the candidates. Here are some of their answers.

Transportation

What's the state oftransportation? Is there any real hope?- Ken Moore, Douglastown resident

"I really miss the train. Now I'm forced to use the airlines, and I find the prices are pretty high, but it's the only thing left for me to do. I could drive myself, but at my age, 82, I find it's just too much to hit the highway and go all the way to Toronto and Montreal. That's where my family is. I would ask [the candidates] what's the state of transportation? Is there any real real hope?" Ken Moore, Douglastown resident.

Context

Rail

The Via Rail passenger train has not made it to Gasp since December 2011.

The poor state of the tracks forced the cancellation of railservice, and now trains stop in Matapdia, a four-hour drive from Gasp. About $100 million needs to be invested in the rail infrastructure to make it safe for passenger trains.

Bus

Since the purchase of Orlans Express by the transport companyKolis, bus service to the Gasp has diminished throughout the regionand ceased between Gasp and Chandler on the Baie des Chaleurs.

Plane

A return Gasp-Montreal flight costs, on average, $1,000, and AirCanada has cancelled three return flights to the Magdalen Islands in September and October. The flights were supposed to leave Montreal with stops in Quebec City and Gasp along the way.

The candidates respond

Jean-Pierre Pigeon, Conservative candidate, Gaspsie-les-de-la-Madeleine

Jean-Pierre Pigeon says train service to the region is not a priority for him. Given the older demographics of the regionand huge size of the riding, he says his priority is buildinglonger landing strips for planes. This, he says, wouldallow larger planes to land and could entice more companies to start flying to the area, possiblyresulting in more competitive prices.

Pigeon says he wants to see longer landing strips in Gasp, Ste-Anne-des-Monts and the Magdalen Islands.

Philip Toone, NDP candidate(Incumbent), Gaspsie-les-de-la-Madeleine

Philip Toone says he is committed to bring Via Rail service back to the Gasp. As a temporary solution, he suggests using a single locomotive/passenger car known as a 'bud car.' He says the key to the rail's success is to have corporate clients as well as passenger service.

"The problem with the rail is that there are no clients. We can't justify all the money to fix the rail if there are not going to be users," Toone said,referring to the lack of businesses making use of the railway.

He says a slow return of Via train service would show other businesses they can trust the rail service will be reliable.

Toone also says part of the problem with transportation is that people in the region don't have the money to travel because of the poor economy.

Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal candidate, Gaspsie-les-de-la-Madeleine

Diane Lebouthillier says if her partywere to invest in transportation, it would be in the road networkandbus service. She says it is unthinkable, evenimpossible, to count on a return to railservice within the next year, given the infrastructure upgrades required.

She also says Gasp needs a longer landing strip to welcome larger planes.

Nicolas Roussy, Bloc Qubecoiscandidate, Gaspsie-les-de-la-Madeleine

Nicolas Roussy proposes making air and bus travel more affordable by cancelling the security tax paid by airlines for flights to Gasp and the Magdalen Islandsand cancelling the federal gas tax for bus transportation to the Gasp.

Roussy does not see a return topassenger train service as a priority, but he would like to seea tourist train between Gasp and Perc. However,to achieve this, he saysthe province needs to invest the money to fix the tracks.

Jim Morrison,Green Party candidate,Gaspsie-les-de-la-Madeleine

The Green Party had not yet registered a candidate whenthe CBC was in the Gaspsie--les-de-la-Madeleineriding.