Martin Promotes Short-Line Rail and National Strategy at Parliamentary Rail Caucus

OTTAWA – At a parliamentary rail caucus here Tuesday attended by industry officials, Sault MP Tony Martin touted a long-term Canada-Ontario short-line rail agreement that fits into a national strategy for rail transportation and includes passenger service.
 
“I found excellent support from the industry and the rail caucus including Conservative chair Dean Del Maestro who visited the Sault last June and who I introduced at the rail summit in Searchmont,” Martin said.
 
“The industry is identifying growth opportunities in freight and passenger as we come out of the recession. We need to be part of that action.”
 
Locally, Martin is part of a community and regional group which has made three applications for funding to the federal and provincial governments. $1.5 million each from Ottawa and Ontario has already been approved, helping to keep freight service on the Sault-Sudbury line for another year. A second application for $12.5 million stimulus funding from senior governments is pending. There is now a third application through the Build Canada fund for between $33 and $35 million which would allow a rebuild of the rail infrastructure for the long term.
 
“There is ongoing discussion as to who will be the carrier (run the rolling stock) and whether passenger transportation will again become a reality, an issue I strongly support.” Martin said.
 
The Railway Association of Canada told the all-party caucus that traffic volumes for freight are down by some 18 per cent. It wants Ottawa with the provinces to establish a national framework for investment. Their presentation noted one growth opportunity is in world class tourism offerings which could for example includer ecotourism attractions in the north to attract additional foreign and domestic tourists.