{"id":219483,"date":"2026-04-12T09:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T13:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/?p=219483"},"modified":"2026-04-13T07:37:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T11:37:53","slug":"trust-in-trains-government-institutions-require-public-oversight-letters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/trust-in-trains-government-institutions-require-public-oversight-letters\/","title":{"rendered":"Trust in trains, government institutions require public oversight | Letters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Government of Ontario and the Federal Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities have recently made headlines regarding announcements and discussions held on the topic of passenger rail in Northern Ontario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March, the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission purchased<\/a> 205 kilometres of track between North Bay and Washago. The public now owns this strategic piece of rail infrastructure, which should help the Northlander<\/a> operate more dependably through Cottage Country. The company also began testing their new train sets across the entire length of the route.<\/p>\n\n\n

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At the same time, members of Parliament raised<\/a> a number of issues plaguing train service between Sudbury and White River<\/a> to interim leaders and delegates of VIA Rail Canada. The organization intends to present a plan that ensures this remote, yet essential route is once again reliable and consistent (let\u2019s hope).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are positive developments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Undoubtedly, there are some important issues governments need to resolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We don\u2019t know how well the Northlander train sets will perform in the dead of winter. The same ones purchased by VIA Rail infamously failed<\/a> just before the holidays.
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There is a ton of congestion between Washago and Richmond Hill that routinely creates delays and headaches for VIA\u2019s flagship train, the Canadian<\/a>. Will the Northlander be able to keep a schedule on those same set of tracks?
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Earlier this year, the Budd Car was inoperative for 25 calendar days due to recurring mechanical breakdowns. Until very recently, the baggage car was kaput. How much longer will this 70+ year old equipment continue running before it fails outright?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As constructive as the track purchase is towards reinstating the Northlander, we only achieve progress when we can investigate the problems and engage politicians, bureaucrats and stakeholders in constructive conversations on issues like transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to effect change and provide meaningful contributions to the discussion, the public needs accurate, unbiased information that isn\u2019t presented through the lens of a political party, or vetted by a media relations department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act<\/a> grants Ontarians access to official data and records through various ministries, agencies or other public sector organizations like ONTC and GO Transit \u2015 subject only to limited and carefully defined exceptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Premier Doug Ford wants to change that. Among other things, he\u2019s proposing<\/a> to make his records as head of government and those of his cabinet ministers secret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an alarming policy change for researchers, journalists and ordinary citizens who file FOIs to find out what\u2019s happening behind the scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If passed into law, the proposed changes will weaken our democracy. They will undermine confidence in government and taxpayer-funded institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the creation of Northern Tracks Blog<\/a>, I\u2019ve filed nearly two-dozen access to information requests on various topics related to public transportation in Northern Ontario. A few excerpts include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ONTC Rail Division Sustainability Plan (2009):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n