FUNDING TO CONTINUE NORTHERN ONTARIO PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE

News Release

No. H019/06
For release April 28, 2006
OTTAWA — The Government of Canada has extended its funding agreement with the
Ontario Northland Transportation Commission for an additional year in order to
continue passenger rail service between Toronto and North Bay. The funding
totals $2.5 million and covers the period from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007.
Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Minister for the Federal Economic
Development Initiative for Northern Ontario and MP (Parry Sound-Muskoka), made
the announcement today on behalf of Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities.
"Passenger rail service represents an alternative transportation option for
residents of and visitors to Northern Ontario," said Minister Clement. "This
support will help ensure year-round passenger rail transportation for North Bay
and the surrounding areas."
"The continuation of passenger rail services in this region contributes to
the economic and social well-being of its communities," said Minister Cannon.
"It ensures that the rail service has the necessary resources to operate
effectively and continue to provide Canadians travelling in the region with high
quality service."
"We very much appreciate the support of the federal government as we work to
connect the North and contribute to the economic prosperity of our region," said
Steve Carmichael, President and CEO of Ontario Northland.
The Ontario Northland Transportation Commission is an operational enterprise of
the Government of Ontario. For the past 10 years, Transport Canada has provided
funding for Ontario Northland to ensure the continued operation of passenger
rail services.
Until 1996, service between Toronto and North Bay was subsidized by the former
National Transportation Agency, now the Canadian Transportation Agency.
Transport Canada assumed funding responsibility from the National Transportation
Agency when the Canada Transportation Act ended the agency's ability to continue
subsidizing the service.
Funding for this initiative is built into the existing fiscal framework.
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Contacts:
Cathy Cossaboom
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
Beverly Martin
Manager of Public Relations
Ontario Northland Transportation Commission
(800) 363-7512 ext. 265
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.

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FUNDING TO CONTINUE NORTHERN ONTARIO PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE

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