Passenger train campaign picks up steam

NEWS RELEASE

COALITION FOR ALGOMA PASSENGER TRAINS

************************* All Aboard train event picks up more support at Toronto Union Station today; in Ottawa Thursday

The Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) picked up additional allies today in Toronto at a press conference [CBC interview shown] at Union Station, as the group journeys across Ontario with it's All Aboard event, gathering support for wilderness passenger train service in Northern Ontario.

Adding their voices to CAPT were two Toronto City councillors, the Department of Tourism for the City of Toronto and Nature and Outdoors Tourism Ontario (NOTO).

Toronto councillor Pamela Fletcher, formerly of Sault Ste. Marie area, said, like trains pick up passengers, the CAPT All Aboard tour was picking up support on its route.

She said, "This is not just a great effort for Northern Ontario but will also benefit Toronto, as a transportation hub," with passengers coming there to get on board trains bound for a Northern Ontario wilderness tour.

Another Toronto councillor, Pamela McConnell noted, "It is outrageous that cities in Ontario are not connected to their provincial capital by passenger rail."

She added that emphasis should shift from east-west train corridors to north-south.

Councillor McConnell, whose Toronto ward includes Union Station, said planned refurbishing of that facility should keep in mind the needs of passenger rail wilderness travel.

Tony Martin, who has been involved with the CAPT tour since it left Sault Ste. Marie Sunday, spoke of the support offered by communities visited along the way.

He also said everyone has a role to play to send messages to government to ensure that passenger rail traffic in northern Ontario can develop to its full potential.

Duncan Ross, director of tourism for the City of Toronto, attended the event to show support and Doug Reynolds, executive director, NOTO, said consumers from North America and Europe are looking for rail tour opportunities and that the timing couldn't be better.

He stated, "Consumers want it, the environment demands it and the economics support it."

Earlier in the day the CAPT group meet with Ontario Ministry of Tourism officials, including assistants to the minister, deputy minister, Sault MPP David Orazietti and the director, investment development at the ministry.

Monday night this week, CAPT co-chairs Linda Savory-Gordon and Al Errington spoke to Cochrane City Council where a resolution of support was passed.

Cochrane mayor Lawrence Martin said, "We know the importance of passenger rail service in this community and are with you all the way to help others share our understanding."

Timmins James Bay MP Gilles Bisson also came to Cochrane to attend the meeting in support of CAPT.

Similar themes were put forward at a train whistle stop Sunday in Hawk Junction by Wawa Mayor Howard Whent, Dubreuiville Mayor Rejean Raymond and Monday night at a community event in Hearst by Mayor Roger Sigouin.

In Sault Ste. Marie Sunday morning Sault MP Tony Martin and Algoma Manitoulin MP Brent St. Dennis, along with representatives from environmental, nature, recreational and tourism sectors, kicked off the All Aboard event.

Representatives of the group are in Ottawa for meetings with Department of Transport officials Thursday to advance the case for additional support for passenger rail services.

A press conference is booked for Ottawa's Parliament Hill, Centre Block, Charles Lynch Media Studio, Thursday at 11 a.m.

MP Martin has made arrangements for northern Ontario and other media to participate in that event via teleconference.

For more information see the CAPT website for recent photos and an All Aboard Adventure Journal.

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