NorthEastern Ontario Passenger Rail Summit in Sault Ste Marie April 19, 2018
Northeastern Ontario is suffering from increasing isolation of communities, economies and people. A NorthEastern Ontario Passenger Rail Loop to can use existing railway tracks to link Toronto to North Bay, Cochrane, Moosonee, Hearst, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and all the First Nations, communities, businesses and people in the rail loop access corridor. Northeastern Ontario would also have far greater access to markets for goods, services and tourism to sustain and increase our economy and employment.
“Northeastern Ontario needs Passenger Trains to prosper. Let’s get the Trains back on Track!” Chief Jason Gauthier – Missanabie Cree First Nation
“Efficient, effective and affordable transportation is fundamental to the health and sustainability of Northeastern Ontario’s economy and employment.” Christian Provenzano – Mayor of Sault Ste Marie
“Passenger Trains are Efficient, Effective, Accessible, Affordable, Safe, Reliable and Environmentally Responsible Transportation. ALL YEAR ROUND!” Lucille Frith NEORN (NorthEastern Ontario Rail Network) & CPMRT (Committee Promoting Muskoka Rail Travel)
“Passenger rail is a much more accessible way to travel than bus, car and plane for people with disabilities of all sorts, and for those on limited incomes. Many who have disabilities either are not able to drive or cannot afford to lease or own a vehicle; and, buses and their washrooms are often not wheelchair accessible.” Dorothy McNaughton CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) Chair of CNIB Ontario Board and CNIB Northern Regional Board
Transportation of goods and people is fundamental to every economy. Canada has serious transportation issues around effectiveness, efficiency, public safety, health and accessibility resulting in restricted opportunity for business development, employment and quality of life. Passenger Rail is very accessible, safe and comfortable for transporting people in any season, including winter, and people do not need a driver’s license, the ability to drive, or the substantial expense of owning an automobile, to travel by train. As a result, passenger rail service would make our elderly, disabled and economically less fortunate more independent and give everyone more opportunity and accessibility to travel for recreation, education, medical needs, employment, tourism and just the enjoyment of connecting to our diverse communities.
Transportation is also the greatest source of greenhouse gases but rail creates significantly less pollution and environmental impacts than other transportation.
While Northern Ontario faces the challenges created by our current economic times, NEORN is promoting a sustainable approach to supporting economic opportunity in the north. Passenger rail service offers solutions to many of the challenges that are affecting the north’s economic diversity, development and accessibility.
It is vital to the sustainability of our northern regions of Ontario that passenger rail services be supported, refurbished and reinstated otherwise we will become increasingly isolated economically and socially – something our northern regions and Ontario cannot afford.
The NorthEastern Ontario Passenger Rail Summit will take place April 19th in Sault Ste Marie at the Quattro Hotel. Passenger Rail Summit is open to all interested participants, cost is $15 per person to cover lunch. The Passenger Rail Summit will be a full day forum to discuss NEORN’s proposed NorthEastern Ontario Rail Loop.
NorthEastern Ontario Passenger Rail Summit
- April 19th, 9:30am – 4pm, including lunch, guest speakers will discuss topics such as:
- Accessible, Affordable, Safe, Reliable, Environmentally Responsible Rail Transportation,
- First Nation Rail History and Challenges,
- Economic, Employment, Environmental and Tax Generation Benefits, and the
- NorthEastern Ontario Passenger Train Solution
- Summit Registration Online
The Northeastern Ontario Passenger Rail Summit is supported and organized by:
