Replace Huron Central with Ontario Northland, Tony says

NEWS RELEASE

TONY MARTIN, MP

************************* New Democrats support Northern solution for railways NORTH BAY - With area American-owned railway companies closing operations, New Democrats brought their campaign to expand Northern rail passenger and freight service to North Bay today.

In support of expanding the railway westward to Sault Ste. Marie and beyond, New Democrat MP Tony Martin (Sault Ste. Marie) and MPP France Gélinas (Nickel Belt) met with Ontario Northland General Chairpersons Association [at] a meeting here. “The Ontario Northland Transportation Corporation was set up initially to ensure that Northern Ontario had a strong, integrated transportation system,” Martin said. “With the private sector not investing, the ONR has the potential to be the go-to railway for the North, a Northern solution that would link our industries to bigger markets and resume passenger service.” "Investments in public transit are good for people's health, the environment and the economy,” said Gélinas after the meeting. “The McGuinty government is spending almost four billion dollars over the next two years on highway repairs and expansions. A relatively modest investment to expand train transit opportunities in Northern Ontario would pay great dividends."

Huron Central Railway has announced it is closing its Sault-Sudbury line, while the Ottawa Valley Railway running a Sudbury-Mattawa service for the Tembec mill is talking similar action.

New Democrats propose the investment in rail infrastructure is a key first step to once again making railways productive and competitive, serving tourism, industries, First Nations communities and passenger needs.

New Democrat MP Carol Hughes (Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing) said, "The takeover by the ONR would mean funding for much needed upgrades to the Huron-Central Railway line to make it competitive, much like happened when the ONR took over CN lines helping communities and the forestry industry in places like Cochrane, Hearst and Kapuskasing."

“This is not a time to reduce infrastructure in the North," noted GCA spokesperson Brian Kelly. “Ontario Northland already operates motorcoach and communications services across the North, and run freight and passenger services throughout Northeastern Ontario."

"This is the opportune time for the Crown corporation to expand westward to ensure all the communities in the North have fair access to a safe and reliable transportation system," added Kelly.

Last week federal New Democrat MPs urged Ontario to sign a deal with Ottawa like Québec's $75-million agreement to repair that province`s short-line rail infrastructure.

Huron Central Railway has said $33-million is needed for the Sault-Sudbury line to meet new North American load standards and provide key links to larger railway lines.

The GCA is made up of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, United Steelworkers and Canadian Auto Workers unions who represent all unionized employees at the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.

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