Social responsibility, corporate citizenship, social investment, social conscience. They’re all what I call ‘buzz’ words. Words that companies use to make themselves look good in the eyes of the public. But, do they actually live up to these commitments and duties? 

One of the things I love about this town is the history that’s so easily found. Working out at Fairmont JPL for 14 months or so, you get a real appreciation for the history of the railway and the impact it had on this little town way back when. A quick glance at the Canadian National Railway website will find you a statement about “rail safety in the community” which explains that, “Over the years, CN has built solid relationships with the communities through which our trains pass. These relationships are based on our mutual responsibility to ensure the safety of citizens and employees alike.” Good to see that such a huge player in Jasper has such a wonderful outlook on the communities around it.

During the week, I had the opportunity to speak to representatives from the railway. We were discussing CN’s involvement with the proposed underpass at Hazel Avenue, specifically why there had been no response to the municipality in over two years. “We have indicated that because the project is entirely related to pedestrian traffic flow and does not benefit the railway CN should not bear any part of the cost,” Kevin Franchuck, a CNR spokesman, said.  

Because it doesn’t benefit the railway? I’m either blind, or maybe crazy, but I would have thought that people walking over the railway line directly impacts CN. I thought it would have been a huge safety factor, because what if someone were to get hit by a train? Now, I know this is highly unlikely, but I would have thought that in a time when companies are trying to do the right thing by their communities and become important social entities in the community that maybe CN could give a hand to our special little town. But, as I was told by the CN spokesman: it is a matter of who was there first. 

I felt like I had taken a step back into primary school. “But, Mum! I had it before Harry did, it’s mine!”

Maybe I’m a young optimist with ideals of corporate and social responsibility that neglect profit margins. But, I love the railway. I think it’s a romantic and glorious way to travel and have traveled from one end of Canada to the other on this railway line. Will I think twice before doing so now that they don’t want to help create a safer environment for the people of my town? Absolutely. Imagine if everybody in the world didn’t do anything unless it directly benefited themselves. It’s ludicrous.

No, sorry sir, I will not make you a coffee today because it doesn’t directly benefit me. No, I will not help you with those heavy bags, because it does not benefit me. No, I will not come to your school dance, because it does not benefit me. No, I will not give you some cash to buy something to eat today. No, no, no.

When did the world become so concerned about self benefit and not about communities working together? After all, that’s what we are right? A community... CN, Parks, the Municipality, the schools, the newspaper, the businesses, all of us combined, co-existing and working together, make a community. In fact, I thought that’s what I loved about this town. 

I just hope, for all the people who really need things, this doesn’t become a pattern.