It’s full steam ahead for northern Ontario communities as they push the provincial government to commit to the return of the Northlander passenger rail service.
The Northeastern Ontario Rail Network (NEORN) has penned a letter to the province requesting northern Ontario passenger rail be included in the 2021 provincial budget in March.
“Draft plans have been released for various parts of the Province, with little substance. And definitely no timeline for the return of the Northlander passenger train!” wrote Lucille Frith and Howie Wilcox, Co-Chairs of NOERN.
“There *MUST* be approval (and funding) of the Ontario Northland/Metrolinx business plan in order to implement the Northlander passenger train service prior to next election,” the letter continued.
The Northlander train, which connected Toronto to Cochrane, was discontinued in 2012 by the provincial government at the time.
During the 2018 provincial election campaign, Premier Doug Ford included the return of the Northlander as a campaign promise.
In December, the province unveiled a draft transportation plan for northern Ontario, which included “actions to make further progress on our plan for passenger rail service in the North.”
Last week, North Bay city council approved a motion that, with the support of the area’s MP and MPP, will further push the provincial government to come up with a concrete timeline for the return of the Northlander.
Vic Fedeli, Nipissing MPP, says he was “appreciative” of the nudge from the city, saying he will continue to advocate at the provincial level.
“You think about the fact that Air Canada is not here, passenger rail is good for our environment, there’s going to be growth here…it’s an important tourism point,” Fedeli said. “I think this would be a great opportunity and we make a great argument.”
Fedeli adds the “Polar Bear Express” connecting Cochrane to Moosonee should have involvement from the federal government.
Anthony Rota, MP for Nipissing-Timiskaming, says he too is in support of the return of the Northlander.
“The return of passenger rail to northern Ontario is important. I know the province is working hard to make it happen. We’re willing to work with them to make it happen. It’s something that’s very important to the residents of northern Ontario,” Rota said.
There is a survey available until February 12 for Ontarians to share their concerns with the budget. The provincial government is expected to announce its 2021 budget update in March.
