Supplied by Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes…   Ottawa – Carol Hughes says the government didn’t have to put everyone through the wringer just to come up with money for passenger services on the Algoma Central Railway at the eleventh hour. The MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing is relieved that the route can be preserved, but has concerns that the federal commitment is less than solid.

“This is a problem the government created by reclassifying what defines rural and remote passenger lines,” said Hughes. “First they said it didn’t serve remote communities and then they cut the subsidy to rural lines in a budget. Now they say it is remote again, which we have been saying all along.”

Hughes feels the government shouldn’t be seen as the hero in the process and points to the working group that did the heavy lifting to find a third party solution in such a short period of time.   “There was a lot of work done that could have been avoided if the government hadn’t turned this into such a difficult process,” said Hughes. “They threatened a strong tourism economy and a rich local history, but the response from stakeholders was strong and impressive. The working group deserves a pat on the back.”

Hughes is concerned the federal commitment is less than complete and wonders if the solution will have a shelf life based on the dollar amount which came up short of Railmark’s request.

“I really hope we aren’t going through something similar in a few years,” said Hughes. “The subsidy costs a whole lot less than the ads the government buys during hockey games to tell us they are working on economy.  I think it is money better spent.”