By Carol Martin
SooToday.com
Monday, March 08, 2010

The live-or-die deadline for the Huron Central Railway between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury is approaching very quickly, says Sault Ste. Marie Chief Administrative Officer Joe Fratesi.

Fratesi gave City Council a heads-up tonight about the looming HCR deadline.

"We're at hour 11 and three quarters," Fratesi said. "We're seeing some things in the media that have given us hope. But I have to tell you that, if we don't get some names on paper in the next few weeks, they're going to start the wind-up."

Fratesi said the stakeholder working group put together to save the vital rail line is growing increasingly frustrated.

"We keep hearing, from both senior levels of government, that they are committed and they are just waiting for the other one to come to the table. Frankly, we don't care where the money comes from, it just better get here soon."

Fratesi said the group has been advised by HCR management that supplies needed for upgrade and track repair work must be ordered by late March or they won't be available this year.

The rail line is almost unusable in its present condition.

So, Fratesi said, unless there's an agreement in place by mid- to late March, HCR will cease all operations on that track by August.

On behalf of the HCR working group, Fratesi drafted a letter to Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities John Baird.

He also addressed the same letter to Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Brad Duguid.

The full text of the letter sent today, follows.

*************************
The Honourable John Baird
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Tower C - 330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON K1AON5

The Honourable Brad Duguid
Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure
Hearst Block- Fourth Floor
900 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M7A2E1

Re: Short Line Railway from Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury

Dear Ministers:

As you are aware and as outlined in our earlier correspondence and recent letter of January 27, 2010 and February 16, 2010, the survival of the Huron Central rail line (HCR) between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury is in serious jeopardy.

Over the past nine months the stakeholders and the Stakeholder Working Group have worked diligently with the HCR to save this critical piece of Northern Ontario infrastructure.

We have followed all direction provided by the federal and provincial governments including:

- Submitting an application to the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (August 2009).

- Submitting an application to the Building Canada Fund (October 2009).

- Submitting a requested business plan in support of Building Canada Application (February 2010).

Timing is critical.

The current arrangement between the key stakeholders and the HCR expires on August 14, 2010.

However, a decision regarding the future of the line must be made in the more immediate future.

Notwithstanding layoff notices and other decommissioning activities, the most immediate challenge is the ordering of the necessary supplies to enable essential capital improvements to occur during the 2010 construction season.

We have been advised by HCR that if these supplies are not ordered before the end of March, they will be unable to complete planned work.

Without these essential improvements, the railway cannot continue to operate.

Letters and press releases from the federal and provincial governments have recognized the importance and urgency of this matter and have indicated support for the funding request.

However, to date, this has not resulted in any tangible commitment or meaningful discussion by government with the Huron Central Railway (HCR) or any of the numerous affected stakeholders.

Despite apparent commitment on the part of the federal and provincial governments the probability of success is unfortunately decreasing very quickly.

Progress appears to be arrested not by good intent but rather by bureaucratic and jurisdiction circumstances.

Most recent comments by officials from each level of government appear to be blaming the other level of government the current standstill.

That should not be acceptable as the affected communities and industries will suffer the immediate consequences with the ultimate and heavy impact on the economy, the environment and safety of all Ontario.

Without your immediate intervention success does not appear possible.

On behalf of all stakeholders we implore you to give this matter your immediate attention.

Should you or your staff require additional information we are available to meet with you at any time convenient to you.

Respectfully submitted,

Joseph M. Fratesi

Chief administrative officer and chair of the working group

c.c.

Tony Clement - Minister of Industry

Michael Gravelle - Minister of Northern Development, Mines & Forestry

France Pegeot - Assistant Deputy Minister - Industry Canada

David Orazietti - MPP, Sault Ste. Marie

Mike Brown - MPP, Algoma, Manitoulin

Rick Bartolucci - MPP, Sudbury

Tony Martin - MP, Sault Ste. Marie

Carol Hughes - MP, Algoma, Manitoulin, Kapuskasing

Glen Thibeault - MP, Sudbury

Rick Roth - Special Assistant to Hon. John Baird

Jessica Maga - Ontario Policy Advisor (Transport Canada)

Jennifer Morris - Chief of Staff (MEI)

Jordan Glass - Assistant to Chief of Staff (MEI)

Blaine Bouchard - Ministry of Northern Development, Mines & Forestry

City of Sault Ste. Marie Mayor & Members of City Council

Mario Brault, President, Huron Central Railway

Armando Plastino - CEO, Essar Steel Algoma

Michel Jean - VP, Logistics & Production Planning - Domtar

*************************