Sault Ste. Marie federal election candidates have shared their views on the future of the Huron Central Railway line between the Sault and Sudbury.
Genesee & Wyoming Canada Inc. (GWCI), the parent company of Huron Central, stated Monday “the current state of the railway requires approximately $40 million in capital investment over a five-year period to rehabilitate the line and sustain its safe operation. Since freight volumes do not provide an economic rationale for GWCI to make this investment, we have made the difficult decision to cease service on the line in early 2020.”
The company wrote “while both the provincial and federal governments made commitments to support our long-term plan, the only recent funding received has been a modest investment from the province to temporally sustain operations...we remain hopeful that it (funding) can still be secured prior to our cessation of service.”
The Huron Central Railway line is a vital link for companies like Algoma Steel to get their goods to market.
“Huron Central Rail was very clear. Over the past four years, despite promises from Terry Sheehan and the Liberal Party, they haven’t received the support that they need to keep operating in our area,” wrote Conservative candidate Sonny Spina in an email sent to SooToday Wednesday.
“The Conservative party has a strong record of supporting the Huron Central Rail. Working with the late Mayor John Rowswell, the Conservatives provided $15 million of funding that was matched by the province to upgrade the lines and keep Huron Central operational.”
Sault NDP candidate Sara McCleary announced Wednesday the New Democrats will work “to ensure the Huron Central short-line runs for as long as Ontario is producing great steel.”
“I commend the NDP for their quick decision to say that they will provide the money that Huron Central Rail has sought. However, during an election it would be irresponsible of me to commit to fully funding something before I have had a chance to review the complete file. I need to ensure that the proposal they are putting forward meets my commitment, that federal funds will lead to jobs and economic growth for Sault Ste. Marie and our First Nations Partners,” Spina replied.
“As your MP I will always stand up for this important project, and all projects that will bring prosperity to our area and help grow our community,” Spina wrote.
Green Party candidate Geo McLean, speaking to SooToday by phone Wednesday, said “investing in rail is part of the Green Party’s strategy for climate change as well as access to northern communities...the hope is to invest even more in rail, both passenger rail and industrial rail, to offset the environmental impact of trucks and buses.”
“We need to invest in these things, and while there isn’t anything specific to northern Ontario in our platform in terms of rail, we want an improved nationwide rail system and that’s still relevant to the Sault.”
In regard to Genesee & Wyoming Canada’s $40 million ask, McLean said “the Green Party isn’t for bailing out...but if you compare that to $4.5 billion spent to essentially bail out and buy a pipeline (by the current Liberal government), what’s $40 million? It could be used to buy that stretch of rail from them and turn it into a publicly-owned rail system.”
“I believe in the long-term viability of this project. The railway is important to Sault Ste. Marie’s economy, particularly to Algoma Steel. That’s why I have been working with the Huron Central Railway Taskforce, Huron Central executives, and officials in Ottawa to make sure that they have the support they need," replied incumbent Liberal Sault MP Terry Sheehan in an email to SooToday late Monday afternoon.
Wednesday's NDP news release follows:
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SAULT STE. MARIE - Today, NDP candidates Sara McCleary (Sault Ste. Marie) and Carol Hughes (Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing) announced the NDP will implement long-term solutions to protect the thousands of good jobs in northern Ontario dependent on getting products to market.
“Thousands of workers in northern Ontario’s steel and forestry industries need to know they’re going to have jobs for the long haul, not just for a couple of months,’’ said McCleary. “New Democrats will make the use of Canadian steel in federal projects a priority to benefit Sault’s workers and economy. That’s why we need to ensure the Huron Central short-line runs for as long as Ontario is producing great steel.”
For decades, Liberal and Conservative governments have neglected the North and failed to stand up for people in the region. The NDP proposed a New Deal for Northern Ontario that will make life more affordable for workers, fight climate change and revitalize the local economy.
“Infrastructure like the Huron Central Line is vital for our local industry,” said Hughes. “New Democrats have a solid plan to stimulate growth in Northern Ontario. We will take on Liberal and Conservative underinvestment in the North and create thousands of good green jobs, get our local industries ready for the future, and restore vital transportation services that have been cut."
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