Last minute agreement avoids Northern Ontario freight rail service shutdown until June 2021

Statement from NDP critic for Northern Development and Mines Michael Mantha

ELLIOT LAKE — Michael Mantha, NDP MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin and critic for Northern Development and Mines said news that the Huron Central Railway has received an emergency commitment from the federal government and the province to keep running from Dec. 18, 2020 until June 30, 2021 is encouraging news – and Mantha will continue to push for a long-term, multi-year strategy to end the uncertainty.

”We welcome this last minute commitment. It is a much needed investment that will ensure some stability for the businesses impacted, such as Algoma Steel, Domtar and EACOM,” said Mantha.

“I have been honoured to keep working and fighting for these jobs over the years, joined by Joe Fratesi and his Task Force. Our goal is to protect this freight rail service between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury. We’re glad to see both governments coming to the table to help us address this situation. However, as usual, there’s much uncertainty for the foreseeable future. The funding only guarantees operations to continue until June 2021. Instead of providing emergency commitment at the last minute each year, let’s all sit down and figure out a long-term strategy for rail service in Northern Ontario.”

It is estimated that the shutdown of this railway line would’ve put 40,000 more trucks on the road between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury, causing disastrous impact on road conditions, safety concerns for the public in Northern Ontario and cause greenhouse gas emissions to soar.