Northern New Democrats In Final Push to Save HCR

Decision as Early as This Week
 
OTTAWA – With a decision imminent on Ontario short-line rail funding, New Democrat MPs are campaigning flat out to save vital rail infrastructure such as Huron Central Railway’s Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury line as part of a larger pan-Northern Ontario transportation solution.
 
“We strongly support public investment in Northern Rail” said David Jeanes, President of national citizen advocacy group Transport Action. “We have been working closely with community groups , including the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains, to find solutions to benefit the regional economy. Rail plays an absolutely crucial role.” added Transport Action’s founding president, Harry Gow.
 
“Based on the Transport Minister’s remarks about an end of January decision, we are working the phones this week, writing and calling the Minister’s office, speaking with his and Department staff, and meeting with railway advocate groups,” said Tony Martin (Sault Ste. Marie) after he met with Transport Action Canada, a national railway advocacy group.
 
The 288-kilometre HCR line was on life support last summer with a proposed shutdown until Canada and Ontario governments gave it $3 million following strong pressure from dozens of municipalities, an Algoma rail coalition and New Democrat MPs and MPPs.
 
“Investing in essential northern rail infrastructure like the Sault-Sudbury line would pay immediate dividends for industries such as Essar Steel in Sault Ste. Marie and Domtar in Espanola, linking them to other freight lines and markets,” said MP Bruce Hyer (Thunder Bay–Superior North), after a meeting with The Railway Association of Canada. “Rail investment in the HCR grows our Northern economy, helps the environment, and keeps a truly pan-Northern transportation network viable. If these short line tracks are ripped up, future opportunities disappear.”
 
Last summer, Martin and Carol Hughes (Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing) brought HCR and other rail officials to a summit in Spanish, ON.
 
“We are right in the heart of Canada and a vital transportation link to markets in the east, west and south,” said New Democrat MP Glenn Thibeault (Sudbury). “The map of Canada says it all. You can’t build a national transportation network without substantial investment in Northern Ontario.”
 
A partnership of communities, First Nations and industries from Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury needs $12 million now in stimulus funds and $21 million from the Build Canada Infrastructure Fund that is tied to forging a Canada-Ontario rail agreement. The HRC application is the largest of 7 Ontario short-line railway applications for funding.