Funding for Northlander passenger rail should be included in spring budget say Greens

Ontario Greens are calling on the Ontario government to include funding for the Northlander passenger rail in the upcoming spring budget.

“It’s been talk and no action from Doug Ford so far on passenger rail,” said Ontario Greens’ candidate for Parry Sound—Muskoka Matt Richter.

See: Election promise to restore Northlander during first term in office was 'hollow electioneering' says NDP

"In 2018, Doug Ford made a campaign promise to restore the Ontario Northlander, which was discontinued in 2012 by the Liberal government. But so far, no progress has been made beyond a $5 million commitment to a business plan study.

“It's time for the Ford government to put money on the table and actually make affordable passenger rail a reality,” Richter said.

With gas prices soaring, many Ontarians are looking for alternative transportation options, including transit, but are unable to access affordable options says a news release from the Party.

Ontario Greens are committed to getting the Northlander back up and running and have allocated funding to it in their Roadmap to Net-Zero climate plan says the release.