At its February 22 council meeting, the Town of Huntsville joined the City of North Bay in urging Ontario Premier Doug Ford to stick to his campaign promise made during the 2018 provincial election and bring back the Ontario Northlander passenger rail between Toronto and Cochrane, which was discontinued in 2012.
In the Northern Ontario transportation plan released by the province on December 10, 2020, reference was made to the resumption of the service, but no timeline was given.
The resolution passed by council called on the premier, and Ontario Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney, to make good on the promise to bring back passenger rail prior to the next provincial election in 2022. It also supported North Bay in calling on the federal government “to assist in funding the annual expenses of the Northlander and the Polar Bear Express as they provide a valuable connection to the James Bay coast.”
Huntsville Mayor Karin Terziano read the resolution, also passed by North Bay, which referenced the economic importance of the train, particularly on the north. “Reliable and affordable passenger rail transportation in our area and other areas of the north is essential infrastructure for economic development of our resource-based industries, tourism, and access to health care…” read Terziano.
She told council she’d been on a call with Ontario Northland and part of the message was everything that can be done to lobby for the return of the service helps.
“We know we’ve got lots of passionate rail people [who have been] fighting to get it returned here and many of them believe it’s going to happen,” she said.
Council unanimously passed the resolution which was to be forwarded to the City of North Bay and the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, as well as MP Scott Aitchison and MPP Norm Miller for their endorsement and support.
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Will Moore says
I find it interesting that the Mayor and Council seem to have assigned such a priority to passenger rail service when Muskoka is, once again, in lockdown and there is a resulting expectation for no travel ; as opposed to, asking for accountability of the Health Unit’s leadership.
The ongoing and draconian approach of “lockdown “ fails to consider the impact on the whole of society.
Small business owners are required to undertake contact tracing measures prior to allowing patrons access into their businesses (collecting names, contact numbers, screening questions etc).
However, large retailers (Walmart. Costco, grocery stores etc) have no such responsibilities ? Patrons are “free” to mingle with a few hundred other people at a time with no opportunity to undertake Contact Tracing efforts to contain possible community spread should a COVID case be identified in a patron or employee afterwards.
Perhaps the Health Unit leadership could examine approaches that are undertaken in other Health Units (ie. Renfrew County and York Region).
Critical thinking takes effort and a willingness to keep an open mind.
Sadly I find that some commentary resorts to “scolding “ and “name calling “ when someone presents a different perspective. Instead of engaging in a sentient discussion with the different perspective, some simply resort to “scolding “ (just do it … no questions) or “name calling “ (entitled).
If one is willing to accept unaccountable mediocre leadership then, one must be willing to accept mediocre results.
Sequoia Henry says
Yes!! all of that money invested into a rail system.. smart idea to actually use it… less cars on the road etc etc etc
Wayne Sinclair says
I am very please to hear the efforts being put into bringing rain back to Huntsville and stops beyond. The loss of the service was a deep cut to being connected for may and bringing it back will have such a positive economic and social positive impact on all it connects. Covid separated us, the Northlander will help to reconnect us to the rest of the province. Train travel is part of our past and should always be part of our future.
Sandy McLennan says
A good and sensible thing to support. Public transportation is the future and we are behind. Time to start catching up.
Stan Dronseika says
If there was a survey as to whether I would use the train regularly or not, and if I were honest, I would have to say no. But I will fight like a tiger, even be willing to spend a few bucks, to have the service restored. I see it as a lifeline. Although one may never find a reason to use it, it sure is nice to know it is there. Yes, a thousand times yes, bring back the train.
PS…….. Mr. Moor, unless I have failed to follow your thoughts, for the life of me I can’t see what bringing back the train has to do with Covid.
Bonnie Branton says
Bravo Mayor & Council!
Rail travel will be an important piece of the success of The Near North & beyond. Huntsville however DOES NOT OWN the Huntsville Train Station shown in the photo!
Now, what can be done about the nearsighted GIVEAWAY of our handsome & solidly built Huntsville Train Station (with a paying tenant) for $2.00!!!!!
Will we now have to PAY to use this privately owned beautiful building & waterfront property for arriving train passengers? Or have to build another station?
It is not too early to try to figure out this problem that needn’t have been created. Buy back the station?
I, for one would be happy to be part of
an assemblage of Volunteers to help manage it’s future.
Ian Hull says
Not only do we need the Northlander back, we need route passenger trains where people are and avoid freight trains if possible. We need a schedule that which works for all sections of the route, which may mean reverting back to 2 trains between North Bay and Toronto. In addition, the route from Washago via Orillia to Barrie needs to be reinstated. This will avoid the lengthy delays on the east side of Lake Simcoe from CN freights and enable use of Metrolinx’s double track which is being installed at various locations between Barrie and Union Station. To do this we should also be lobbying the federal government for infrastructure dollars, especially since they had the first option in allowing CN to abandon the line in the first place. The MTO needs to look at other solutions other than continually expanding 4 lane highways to 6 or 8 lane highways in various locations across the province.
Doug Austin says
I agree with above comments, we need the Passenger Rail back as an affordable, on-time, quality service.
>> Learn from California, continually expanding road width’s just invites more to drive and within a few months, all the money spent results in the same grid lock.
The argument that Passenger Rail does not pay for it’s self is ridiculous as our road network does not pay for it’s self either. Yes, gas taxes help but the public purse cough’s up millions to cover the difference. And what about electric or hybrid vehicles, less or no gas = No Gas Tax revenue; now the public purse better have deep pockets. Yes, other methods of road support taxation will be developed.
>> Cars for local travel, Bus as needed to connect with a ‘spine’ of Passenger Rail.
As I recall, ~38% of Ontario’s GHG emissions are from transportation. CP Rail is now developing a Hydrogen powered Freight Engine; Europe has had Passenger versions for a few years – byproduct is water.
Hydrogen is not perfect yet, but given time it will improve or an alternative developed.
Burning non-renewables is not the way of the future.
TIP – VIA Rail, Phone VIA and ask when the ‘Seat or Sleeper (long distance trains) Sales are ?’ the best deals are that way.
Lucille Frith says
As Co-Chair of the advocacy group Northeastern Ontario Rail Network (NEORN) I am delighted that our Huntsville Council has once again loudly supported the return of passenger rail service. By the end of 2017 every municipality from Washago to Moose Factory (the Northlander and Polar Bear Express line ) had provided NEORN with a formal council resolution of support for the return of our passenger train for all the many reasons that have been stated above but mainly to connect our communities and service both our residents and visitors in comfort and safety, year round . These resolutions, were forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation and the Premier. NEORN surveyed the public twice – once to see if , when and why they would take the train and next to determine what amenities they wished to have both on the train as well as arrival and departure. 4783 responses provided information which was presented to Ontario Northland and to Metrolinx in 2019 who together were developing their business plan for the return of the train service. This business plan has been in the government’s hands for months. The Ministry of Transportation recently released the results of their own survey done late last fall (see our website). NOW our government needs to put the funding in this month’s budget to make it happen. Basically put the money where their mouth is, the same mouth that made the promise to return our train in the election of 2018.
Our NEORN group communicates with our interested contacts every time something needs to get to the public’s ears. If you would like to be on our list, please contact me at neornpassengertrains@gmail.com or click on our website. Our next email blast will hopefully be on budget day, announcing the funding required to get our train up and running.
If you would like to speak with me, 705-783-1924 See you on the train!! Lucille
DAVID MCCLURE says
Yes . LET”S GET THE ONR “BACK ON THE TRACK” .
brian tapley says
I’m with Stan Dronseika and many others on this.
I used to use the train more when I went to University and it was a great way to get to Toronto for a day or two downtown. So much more restful than a car if it actually is going where you want to go.
That said, I wonder if a train on this route will ever be profitable in the near future, partly because we subsidize cars to such a huge extent, building and maintaining roads. Secondarily, we need to increase the ridership to make this route work.
Like I said, I’m with Stan. The train is a wonderful thing to have to fall back on in bad weather or when you get too old to drive long distances. It is almost weather proof, usually very reliable if a bit slower than a car on a good day. Traffic issues do not exist with a train…. there are a lot of good things about a train service and yes, I’d be more than happy to add some funds to the service, either by simply using it occasionally as I used to or maybe even donating to the cause.
I hope that someday in the not too distant future train travel will make a comeback all across Canada but we need to retain the basic service now to allow this to happen in the future. Once a line is closed and the track torn up, that is generally the end.
Over the years I have noted that people will pay for speed and convenience so if the train is not really fast, it has to be convenient. The old Northlander was neither of these things. The new one needs to be at least one of them.