Welcome to Jasper!

Check this page out or save the PDF version to gain helpful advice and insight on becoming a new resident of Jasper.

This is your guide to being new at CN Rail Jasper, as well as the Common Connections Program. Moving in general is always very taxing on both our bodies and our minds. If you are feeling stressed, lonely, overwhelmed, etc., volunteers in the Common Connections Program would love to chat with you. Maybe we could go for a walk and show you around town? Jasper is full of wonderful activities to do outdoors. Maybe we could show you how to get started in things like: hiking, biking, camping, skiing, snowboarding, or cross country skiing? All of these activities and issues are what we at the Common Connections Program are here to help with. Never hesitate to reach out to us for assistance and also refer to the brochure for other helpful information.

Don’t forget to check out the Activities Board in the Station. You can find things to join in on such as hikes, bike rides, runs, and other various local activities!

The goal of the Common Connections Program is to help you prioritize your mental health and wellbeing in our workplace. Working as a Transportation Employee can be hard on both our physical and mental health. This is due to a variety of factors that include but are not limited to:

  • Relocating

  • Being away from family and friends

  • Working on call 24/7

  • Learning a new career

  • Change in general

  • The list goes on!

As a result, you may experience feelings of loneliness, stress, anger, etc. Common Connections is here to remind you that we are in this together. We encourage you to reach out and connect to your fellow employees and volunteers in program that are all trained in the realm of mental health.

Remember, you are not alone and we are here to help!

“You can reach out to any Level of volunteer. All of the volunteers are wonderful, kind, and helpful people who all respect and hold confidentiality to the highest of standards. We encourage you to reach out to whoever you feel most comfortable talking to. This could mean you only worked one trip together, it does not matter to us.”

Let’s Talk Facts

We work non-standard hours which can limit our participation in leisure-time, decompression and family activities. The strain of shift work on family life can lead to a variety of physical and mental stresses. Additionally, individuals attempting to cope with sleep and wake disturbances, family pressures, and the stress brought about by shift work cause us to be even more susceptible to adopting unhealthy habits. Researchers have found that shift workers were 28% more likely to experience mental health problems than people with consistent weekday work schedules. In particular, studies found that shift workers were 33% more likely to have depression than people who didn’t work nights or irregular schedules.

(See link: Shift Work Tied to Poor Mental Health)

Helpful Tips for Finding Housing

Finding housing in Jasper can be very difficult. There are several avenues you can use to search for housing. You may have to first move to Hinton and commute to Jasper, but do not worry! There are many employees that choose to live in Hinton and it is a great place to live with many activities to choose from. Many of which, Jasper does not have.

Remember, there is a silver lining in everything and you have access to a UFA fuel card. This gives you access to much cheaper fuel prices. The UFA Gas is located in Hinton.

Here are some helpful tips for you regarding housing:

  • Rental accommodation is regulated by the provincial Residential Tenancies Act. This act protects your rights as a tenant, as well as the rights of the landlord. It's best to have a tenancy agreement in writing and that both the landlord and the tenant complete a written inspection report within 7 days of moving in. Call 1-877-427-4088 for more information.

  • On Facebook, visit the Jasper Alberta CANADA, Apartments and Rooms For Rent, or the Jasper, AB Buy, Sell and Trade. Make a post on both of these groups. Local landlords and roommates know and respect employees at CN Rail, it is often easier to find a place because of our stable employment. We recommend you include this in your description within your post.

  • Another tip is to tell everyone you can! Word of mouth works best in Jasper.

Food

Buying food is expensive. Cooking at home is a great way to make the most of your budget.

  • Jasper has two grocery stores: TGP and Nesters, as well as Nutters (local health food store).

  • In the winter head to the Activity Centre on Sundays at 1730 for the Community Dinner (dinner by donation). To volunteer for the Community Dinner, contact COS: 780-852-2100.

  • Take advantage of any trips you make to city centres, such as Edmonton and Calgary. It is well worth your money to invest in a Costco Card to stock up on bulk meats, produce, etc.

  • Take a few hours on your days off to meal prep. We recommend that you portion meals into containers and freeze them. That way, when you are called to work you simply have to grab your prepped frozen meals and you are on your way. This also ensures you are eating healthier, home cooked meals.

Not much of a cook? We have a 10% off discount code for CN Rail employees to Bite Me Meal Prep. Access: www.justbitememeals.com and order cooked and portioned meals specific to your taste. They ship to Jasper!