Glenn Thibeault M.P. for Sudbury

SUDBURY – Hope for the future of Huron Central Rail is still alive, according to Glenn Thibeault (Sudbury).

“The Minister of Transport’s letter to the Ontario government indicates that there is still every possibility that this rail line can be saved,” Thibeault said today.

“There is good news here,” stated Tony Martin (Sault-Ste. Marie). “When Minister Baird says his government will fund the HCR if Ontario moves quickly to sign the Provincial Territorial Base fund agreement and back the short line rail application.”

“Let's get going as the railway and industry officials have said there is only a four to six week window to get the decision and then order materials or the railway will cease operations this year” stated Thibeault.

As Martin indicated, “We now know why there has been no funding and now we know how to get it.”

Thibeault along with fellow New Democrat MPs Carol Hughes (Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasting) and Tony Martin (Sault Ste. Marie) attended last Thursday's rail committee meeting in Sault Ste. Marie where it was reported the Ontario government would fund the HCR and that Ottawa was the final hold out. New Democrat MP’s immediately contacted Baird's office to lobby federal support especially in the light of the reported Ontario support.

Late Friday, Baird's office sent MP Tony Martin a copy of the Minister’s letter to the Ontario government where he noted the province had not supported HCR funding under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund and that fund was closed to further commitments. However, Minister Baird recommends the two governments “move swiftly” to sign the agreement which would make $175 million available to Ontario.

“I am happy that following my contact, the Minister has written Ontario to clarify matters and to identify a solution,” Martin said. “I have been in touch with our rail committee chair Joe Fratesi with this news and we will get the Minister's letter circulated to the working group.”

“Huron Central is such a vital transportation link for industries and businesses in Sudbury, the Sault and throughout the north,” Thibeault said. “New Democrats will keep working with community leaders to make this happen.”

“I join the Minister in encouraging both governments to move quickly to finalize the Canada-Ontario Base Fund agreement,” Hughes said. “The sooner the two governments get down to serious discussions the sooner the negotiations would be completed and funds could be allocated to save this vital transportation link”.

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For further information:

Please contact Brian Band, Community Outreach Coordinator for Glenn Thibeault, 705-673-7107

HOPE FOR HURON CENTRAL RAILWAY IF OTTAWA AND ONTARIO SIGN AGREEMENT

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