North Bay City Council has voted to push the provincial government to stick to a campaign promise and reinstate passenger rail in northern Ontario.
Tuesday’s council meeting had a motion brought forward by councillor Mac Bain for council to formally urge the provincial government to provide a timeline for the return of passenger rail service from Toronto to Cochrane which was discontinued in 2012.
“Let’s keep the provincial government to their word and bring back the Northlander,” said Bain during the discussion.
Bain argued the return of the Northlander and “Polar Bear Express” that connects Cochrane to James Bay, is vital transportation that connects the northern and southern parts of the province.
Premier Doug Ford promised the reinstatement of the Northlander during his 2018 election campaign.
Council now wants a firm commitment before the 2022 election.
Councillor Mark King questioned whether pushing the Ontario government would have a negative effect during the current times.
“I’m hoping we’re not poking the bear here,” he said. “We should understand the provincial government’s position with respect to the pandemic.”
Deputy mayor Tanya Vrebosch countered King’s sentiment by saying the city should remind the government of its past promises.
“COVID is at the front of everyone’s mind so we don’t want this left on the back burner,” she stated.
There is already a process underway to audit the current Ontario rail system in order to get a cost estimate to bring the train back.
Along with the push to commit to the railway, council also wants to urge the service to be subsidized through the provincial and federal governments.
In order to do that, the motion also calls on Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli and Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota to endorse the city’s push.
The motion was passed unanimously.
