Algoma rail line threatened. Emergency meeting called

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

************************* Urgent meeting between community groups and politicians from Sault Ste. Marie to Ottawa over threat to rail line

SAULT STE. MARIE - The Coalition for Algoma Passenger Rail (CAPT) announces an important meeting this Saturday, October 22 at the Community Centre/ Council Chambers in Serpent River First Nation.

Attending the meeting will be members of the East Algoma chiefs, mayors and reeves council (EACMRC), members of Transport Pontiac-Renfrew (TPR, a group engaged in a spirited process to acquire from CN the rail line known as "The Beachburg Subdivision"), Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha, and MP Carol Hughes.

The main focus of the meeting will be to discuss the current situation of a stretch of rail from Pembroke to Mattawa.

This line is currently owned by CP, but is being given up for abandonment, with the rails due to come out of the ground at any moment.

Both CAPT and TPR, with the support of local politicians, business, and community groups, have been successful in the past in advocating for the preservation and maintenance of short lines.   CAPT and its support team have been working together toward a shared vision of reinstating passenger rail service from Sault Ste. Marie east to Ottawa/ Montreal and southeast to Toronto.

This vision is being threatened by the very serious possibility of the line between Mattawa and Pembroke being pulled up any day.

Because of the urgency of this situation, for the first time municipalities and First Nations all the way from the Sault to Ottawa are meeting together to develop a strategy and demonstrate a critical mass of communities to put a stop to this most recent case of rail line elimination and find ways to achieve a functional freight and passenger service from Sault Ste. Marie to Ottawa and beyond.

About Algoma University

Algoma University is committed to offering an undergraduate education experience unlike any university in Ontario, offering a wide variety of program options.

Algoma University also offers accelerated diploma-to-degree programs in Business Administration in Brampton, and two degrees, including a Bachelor of Social Work, in Timmins.

As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma U is committed to respecting Anishinaabe knowledge and culture. 

To learn more about Algoma University, visit www.algomau.ca.  

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