Businesses, Communities and Residents Stranded – fund Ontario’s 1st FN Train: Mask-Wa Oo-Ta Ban

 

May 11, 2017 @ 08:41

The Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) is demanding no more second-class treatment by Transport Canada, requesting that they fund the operation of a full-service Algoma Passenger Train under Missanabie Cree First Nation.

CAPT is looking for community support for this project.

Government funding of the Missanabie Cree First Nation-run train will contribute to reconciliation by creating First Nation employment opportunities. The full operation of the Algoma Passenger Train under Missanabie Cree First Nation would provide:

• accessible and eco-friendly transportation,
• support northern small businesses and the regional economy,

while also promoting:

• eco-tourism,
• Indigenous tourism,
• Group of Seven tourism,
• and Francophone/French Immersion tourism,

all of which are integral elements of Canadian culture and history, as well as current tourism trends. The passenger train initiative is also essential to transporting a significant number of people to and from up-north locations, as it is the only all-season transportation to remote wilderness for residents, recreations, and tourists. In addition to recreationalists and adventurists, the train is also the means for many remote residents to access proper healthcare and post-secondary education.

CAPT has been receiving calls from people all over the United States and Canada who are anxiously asking if and when the passenger train from the Sault to Hearst will be running. These calls are from people who have properties along the rail corridor or who have been vacationing for generations at resorts on the line. The local economy is suffering terribly, and the survival of small businesses is threatened.

To support this initiative, please sign the petition that CAPT has launched, which can be found here.

To see how you can help or for more information on this initiative, please visit:

• www.captrains.ca, or contact Dawne Cunningham at 705-759-6195 or dawne@[email protected]
• or Linda Savory Gordon at 705-943-0971 or [email protected].