NDP candidates in Northern Ontario say if the party forms the next government, New Democrats will invest in Huron Central Short-Line Railway.
Earlier this month, Huron Central said it needs $40 million over the next five years to fix and maintain tracks and infrastructure or it will have to discontinue operations. The railway hauls steel, forest products and chemicals for Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie, Domtar in Espanola and EACOM in Nairn Centre.
“Thousands of workers in Northern Ontario’s steel and forestry industries need to know they’re going to have jobs for the long haul, not just for a couple of months,’’ said Sara McCleary, the NDP candidate in Sault Ste. Marie. “New Democrats will make the use of Canadian steel in federal projects a priority to benefit Sault’s workers and economy. That’s why we need to ensure the Huron Central short-line runs for as long as Ontario is producing great steel.”
Read the full text of the release below.
NDP Will Invest in the Huron Central Short-Line Railway
SAULT STE. MARIE - Today, NDP candidates Sara McCleary (Sault Ste. Marie) and Carol Hughes (Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing) announced the NDP will implement long-term solutions to protect the thousands of good jobs in Northern Ontario dependent on getting products to market.
“Thousands of workers in Northern Ontario’s steel and forestry industries need to know they’re going to have jobs for the long haul, not just for a couple of months,’’ said McCleary. “New Democrats will make the use of Canadian steel in federal projects a priority to benefit Sault’s workers and economy. That’s why we need to ensure the Huron Central short-line runs for as long as Ontario is producing great steel.”
For decades, Liberal and Conservative governments have neglected the North and failed to stand up for people in the region. The NDP proposed a New Deal for Northern Ontario that will make life more affordable for workers, fight climate change and revitalize the local economy. https://www.ndp.ca/new-deal-northern-ontario
“Infrastructure like the Huron Central Line is vital for our local industry,” said Hughes. “New Democrats have a solid plan to stimulate growth in Northern Ontario. We will take on Liberal and Conservative underinvestment in the North and create thousands of good green jobs, get our local industries ready for the future, and restore vital transportation services that have been cut."
