CAPT concludes All-Aboard event

Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains
News Release

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The Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) concluded their All-Aboard event by meeting with Helena Borges, Director-General of Surface Transportation from the Ministry of Transport. The meeting was arranged with the assistance of Sault Ste. Marie MP Tony Martin. Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Brent St. Denis was also present at the meeting.

At a press conference on Parliament Hill, CAPT Co-chairs Linda Savory-Gordon and Al Errington were upbeat. Borges advised them to keep working to bring interests together and raise awareness of rail travel. St. Denis praised the work of CAPT. He said, “The meeting the delegation had with Transport Canada officials was informative and hopefully will show some fruit for the tremendous efforts made by the Coalition and other supporters to secure the future of the ACR passenger train.”

MP’s Tony Martin (Sault Ste. Marie) and Charlie Angus ( Timmins-James Bay ) reiterated calls on the federal government to begin reinvesting in rail networks. “Train service is deteriorating at the moment,” noted Martin. “This has a negative impact on northern communities.” Angus spoke of the importance of trains to many of the isolated communities in his riding. “The potential is vast in terms of economics and tourism,” he said. “There is a great opportunity for some impoverished areas to break into eco-tourism.”

NOTO (Nature and Outdoors Tourism Ontario ) Executive Director Doug Reynolds also spoke of the promise wilderness trains hold. “Guests (tourists) value rail experience and trains are iconic to Canada . There is wonderful untapped potential here.”

The Ottawa meeting followed a meeting in Toronto with the Provincial Ministry of Tourism a day earlier. “The Ministry of Tourism recognizes the transportation problems as being a barrier to growth,” said Errington. “They know it needs to be addressed and they are open to discussing this further.”

Earlier during the All-Aboard journey, CAPT received a resolution of support from Cochrane City Council. CAPT also received encouragement for its efforts from Timmins James Bay MP Gilles Bisson, Wawa Mayor Howard Whent, Dubreuiville Mayor Rejean Raymond and Hearst Mayor Roger Sigouin.

With the All-Aboard event now officially wrapped up, CAPT plans to continue to gather support, distribute information and advocate for improvements to rail service in Northern Ontario . The organization’s next major goal is to obtain funds for a full feasibility study of the Algoma Central Railway’s potential as a wilderness train corridor.

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