Passenger Rail Summit a Success
#LSN_Econ
SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO April 22, 2018 (LSN) First NEORN Passenger Rail Summit was attended with over 120 people, 24 speakers, Presentations were made by Chief Paul Syrette-Garden River FN & Chief Jason Gauthier – Missanabie Cree FN. Present were mayors (Mayor Roger Sigouin – Hearst, Mayor Sue Jensen – Blind River, Mayor Lynn Watson –Macdonald, Meredith & Aberdeen Additional Township (Echo Bay) and Mayor Christian Provenzano – Sault Ste. Marie). Also in attendance were government officials from Ministry of Northern Development & Mines and senior leaders of UNIFOR.
Mayor Provenzano was a well attended event, and I was grateful for the opportunity to speak. Transportation is fundamental to the health and sustainability of Northern Ontario. Transit options such as passenger rail service provide access to towns and cities located throughout the region, contributing to an improved quality of life for citizens and facilitating the movement of visitors to our region.
A transit system connecting Northern Ontario needs to be in place, and NEORN’s proposed North Eastern Ontario Rail Loop could address this situation by providing access to communities, First Nations, businesses and the people of Northeastern Ontario to the rest of Canada.
Government subsidized passenger rail service is provided by governments across the world and right here in Canada, and it needs to be provided once again to our area.
As Mayor, I remain committed to providing assistance
The following politicians attended. (Their answers to NEORN’s questions will be posted on the websites):
- Michael Mantha MPP Algoma –Manitoulin (NDP)
- John Vanthof MPP Timiskaming-Cochrane (NDP)
- Ross Romano MPP Sault Ste. Marie (PC)
Kara Flannigan, Green Party Candidate in the upcoming provincial election
Building on the momentum at the summit, prior to the provincial election, we will be holding meetings in many of the communities along the NEORN loop. The dates will be announced soon. Please stay posted.
NEORN, CAPT and CPMRT are non-partisan. We want all politicians and political parties to support the NE Ontario Passenger Rail Loop because of the socio-economic and employment values it will support
One that we just heard about is the Rally organized by Ontario PC Leader Doug Ford and MPP Ross Romano on Tuesday, April 24th in Sault Ste. Marie.
Doors open at 5:00 pm, rally starts at 5:30 pm. Free admission. Tuesday, April 24, 5:00 pm-6:30 pm
Location: The Water Tower Inn