Conservatives Tell Martin Ontario Key to HCR Funding Before Deadline

Martin Presses for Ottawa and Ontario commitments

OTTAWA – With the March 31 deadline looming for Huron Central Railway’s (HCR), the Conservative government told Sault MP Tony Martin today in Question Period it supports HCR funding but needs Ontario to sign the base funding agreement.

 “Mr. Speaker, once again Huron Central Rail is on its death bed when it should be on new rail beds with long term infrastructure,” Martin said. “This railway is a valuable freight line for Essar Steel, Domtar and for communities from Sault to Sudbury. We can return to passenger service and grow the Northern Ontario economy with rail as a key player. Is Ottawa committing to new funding and get Ontario on board before it is too late?”

Brian Jean, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, replied: “… we offered the provinces $175 million to fund important projects like water, roads and, yes, even rail. We encourage the government of Ontario to sign the provincial-territorial base agreement so that we can continue to get shovels in the ground and keep Canadians working.”

After Question Period, Martin said it is crunch time for the federal and provincial governments “to show Northern Ontario communities the money or show they aren’t really serious about rail investment despite all their press releases. Really, it is time to get on board or get on board. There are no other choices for northerners.”

Northern Ontario New Democrats want the HCR short-line rail funded now for freight, and eventually for passenger service, to be an important element in a pan Northern Ontario transportation network. New Democrats have repeatedly asked about HCRfunding in Parliament as well as joined a community-driven campaign and hosted a major 2009 summer rail summit in Spanish, Ontario.