No. H 015/08
For release - January 28, 2008
OTTAWA - The Government of Canada is providing Tshiuetin Rail Transportation with up to $12 million in operating funding to continue passenger rail service between Sept-Îles and Schefferville, Quebec, until December 30, 2009, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, announced today.
Rail is the only surface transportation mode available to Schefferville and is used by First Nations people in the area to travel to their traditional hunting, fishing and trapping territories on a year-round basis, and for community re-supply.
"It is important to this government that residents of Schefferville and surrounding areas have reliable rail services," said Minister Cannon. "People in these remote communities depend upon such services for their everyday needs, as well as for travel through the region or to the rest of the country."
Tshiuetin Rail Transportation is owned jointly by the communities of Matimekush/Lac John and Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam, as well as the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach. Tshiuetin was the first First Nations company to own and operate a railway in Canada when it acquired the Menihek subdivision from the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway in December 2005 through an asset purchase agreement with the Iron Ore Company of Canada. In 2007, Tshiuetin transported 15,000 passengers.
"The three First Nations are grateful to the Government of Canada for this funding to Tshiuetin Railway, as it will allow us to continue the essential rail transportation service link between Sept-Îles and Schefferville," said Richard Bell, general manager and chief operating officer of Tshiuetin Rail Transportation Inc. "It also provides career development for the First Nation's people in the railway industry."
Since 2004, the Government of Canada has demonstrated its commitment to the Tshiuetin passenger rail service by providing significant start-up, operating and capital funding. The funding has been invested in:
the recruitment and training of employees;
the purchase of equipment, vehicles, locomotives and rolling stock;
renovations to the train station in Schefferville;
the construction of a diesel locomotive repair shop in Schefferville;
a railway maintenance-of-way camp in Esker, Newfoundland and Labrador; and
a passenger shelter (with washroom facilities and heat and water services) in Emeril, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Prior to the transfer of the rail line to Tshiuetin, the Government of Canada also provided funding to Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway to ensure the continued operation of the service.
Federal funding comes from Transport Canada's Regional and Remote Passenger Rail Services Class Contribution Program. The program ensures that safe, reliable, viable and sustainable passenger rail services are provided to certain areas of the country where these services are either the only means of surface transportation for remote communities, or an alternative means of transportation for rural communities. These services also support economic activities in the mining exploration, recreation and tourism sectors and provide an essential lifeline for isolated communities.
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Contacts:
Karine White
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Richard Bell
General Manager and Chief Operating Officer,
Tshiuetin Rail Transportation Inc.
Sept-Îles
418-960-0982
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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