Carol presses for return of ACR cash

NEWS RELEASE

CAROL HUGHES, MP

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OTTAWA – With the deadline for termination of passenger services on the Algoma Central Railway (ACR) looming, people in the region are wondering if the Conservatives will be part of any solution to a problem that they created. 

That was the message delivered by Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, MP Carol Hughes in the House of Commons Thursday.

Hughes tabled another in a series of petitions calling on the Conservative government to restore funding that made the service viable for CN who own the ACR.

“This petition is signed by people from Sault Ste. Marie, Richards Landing, Echo Bay, Thessalon, Bruce Mines, Wawa, and Searchmont all of whom are asking the government to reinstate the funding for passenger services on the Algoma Central Railway,” said Hughes. “They say this will be problematic for communities, property owners, and particularly for businesses.”

The decision to cut the subsidy for the ACR’s passenger service will have significant impact on tourism in the region.  

Without passenger services, tourists will have less access to an area that is rich in history and offers unique recreation opportunities that are an important part of the economy in Northern Ontario.

“These people want the government to help with the funding for at least another year to protect jobs in the region,” said Hughes.

Passenger services have been expended until April 29th of this year but will not continue without assistance according to CN. 

The subsidy that helped offset the losses was cancelled by the Conservative government in 2013 but termination of services was only made known in late January of this year.

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