Mothballed 16 months ago, the passenger train gets some funding. Sort of.

Over a year after the Algoma Central Railway passenger service ceased operation, MP Terry Sheen says the First Nation band seeking to take over operation of the service is receiving funding toward creating a business plan for the proposal.

Terry Sheehan, member of parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, said the Missinabie Cree First Nation will receive almost $200,000 in support of getting the passenger rail service back up and running.

The Missinabie Cree, led by Chief Jason Gauthier, hope to become the new operator for the passenger rail service, which will be rebranded ‘Mask-wa Oo-ta-ban’ or ‘Bear Train’.

The funding is intended to go toward the creation of a business plan for the  Bear Train and to assist in ongoing negotiations with CN, which owns the line and have final say over who operates the service on it. 

“They need an agreement with CN. It’s of upmost importance for them to secure funding from government sources and private sector,” said Sheehan during an unrelated event this morning.

The funding will allow the First Nation, Sheehan said, to position themselves for both public and private sector financing. 

“They can use that funding to hire people to build that business plan, to negotiate and get those things necessary to get the train up and running again,” said Sheehan.

Although an official announcement on the funding has not been made, Sheehan shared the news of the grant in response to SooToday questions about the concerns of NDP MP Charlie Angus in regards to $900-million in unspent Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) funding for the 2016 fiscal year, as reported yesterday in the National Post.

The Mask-wa Oo-ta-ban is seeking $2.2-million to help subsidize the service.

In July, Transport Minister Marc Garneau said the Sault to Hearst passenger service does not qualify for the Remote Passenger Rail Program subsidy and the file was passed to INAC.

Although Gauthier has previously presented a business plan to Transport Canada, INAC is providing the funding for another kick at the can.

The initial business plan was written with the Remote Passenger Rail Program in mind, said Gauthier. The new plan will focus on the economic benefits of having the train and the impact of losing it.

"I think they (the government) realize I am not going anywhere. I'm going to keep on moving forward and keep trying. If it means visiting every ministry in the federal government, then that's what I'll do," said Gauthier by phone this afternoon.

Regarding the $900-million shortfall for INAC, Sheehan said he is focused on projects in his own riding.

Sheehan said recently announced $5-million funding for an Anishinabek Discovery Centre shows the Liberal government is committed to supporting projects for First Nations people.

The Algoma Passenger Train Working Group, which is also led by Gauthier, is holding a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at the Russ Ramsay Room at the Civic Centre.

The Algoma Central Railway passenger rail service ceased operation in July of 2015, with only six days notice to camp and lodge owners.

CN Rail made the announcement in a joint statement with the ACR regional stakeholder passenger service working group.

The full text of a release from the office of Algoma -Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes follows. 

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Petitioners call on government to support Algoma passenger train: Hughes

OTTAWA – Supporters of the Algoma Passenger Train are using every avenue to pressure the government to back this important piece of infrastructure for the Northern Ontario economy according to Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP, Carol Hughes.

Hughes delivered petitions in the House of Commons laying out the arguments for the government to reinstate the modest investment that would allow the service to resume.

“75 per cent of the land owners along the line relied on passenger rail to reach their properties and that any roads the government claims can be used are industrial roads that are not maintained or monitored since they are not intended for public use,” said Hughes.

Citing economic, cultural, and even legal arguments, the petition covers more ground than can be addressed in other formats available to parliamentarian such as questions.

“In addition to that they remind the government of the positive effect passenger services had on the Algoma economy and how its absence has created significant difficulties for the businesses up and down the line,” said Hughes.  “They point out that the service was important to First Nations accessing traditional land and that the failure to consult with First Nations before cancelling the subsidy infringed on the right to consultation.”

Hughes finished by stressing the historical importance of the service.

“The passenger train has been the only safe, affordable, all-season access into the Algoma wilderness for the last hundred years,” said Hughes.

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