Ford’s Northlander train waffling leaves families in the cold

In question period on Monday, NDP Deputy Leader and Timiskaming—Cochrane MPP John Vanthof said that northeastern families are about to go through another winter but no closer to seeing the Northlander passenger train return.

“Winter is coming. We’ve got one road, Highway 11, which will inevitably be closed at numerous times and northerners will be cut off once again,” said Vanthof. “We used to have the option of the Northlander passenger train. It was a vital link for the north but for years, families have been forced to go without – this wouldn’t happen anywhere else in the province and it shouldn’t be happening here.

“When is the Ford government going to bring back passenger rail service to northeastern Ontario?” asked Vanthof.

New Democrats have called for the return of the Northlander passenger rail service ever since the Liberals cancelled this service in 2012. Vanthof said that despite lip service paid to northeastern families during the campaign, Doug Ford has yet to deliver any action to get the Northlander rolling again in northeastern Ontario.

“Will this government finally do the right thing, work with the NDP and northern families, and bring back passenger rail service to northeastern Ontario?” asked Vanthof.