A popular pre-Christmas tradition for Estevan each year won’t be happening due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CP Rail Holiday Train won’t be rolling through Estevan and other communities in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian Pacific (CP) will donate to food banks in communities along its network and host a virtual concert in lieu of its regular Holiday Train program.
The modified program will draw attention to food security issues, while ensuring donations go to all food banks that would ordinarily receive them, including those that typically host a Holiday Train event in alternating years.
"COVID-19 has created many challenges for communities across our network and has only increased the need at local food banks and food shelves," said CP president and chief executive officer Keith Creel.
"It is our honour to continue to donate to communities across our network this year, even if the train itself will not run. The spirit of the Holiday Train program and the Christmas spirit will carry on this year through our virtual concert. We will have the Holiday Train rolling again spreading Christmas cheer as soon as it's safe to do so."
CP launched the Holiday Train in 1999, and every year since it has travelled across Canada and the northern U.S. raising money, collecting food and drawing attention to the important work of local food banks. In its first 21 years, the train has raised $17.8 million and collected 4.8 million pounds of food for local food banks in communities along CP's network.
Live music has always been part of the CP Holiday Train tradition. To maintain that tradition, CP will produce a benefit concert, with details to be announced when they're available.
The Holiday Train is expected to resume in 2021.
