Below is a link to the petition to save the Pembroke to Mattawa rail lines from being lifted. The Canadian Pacific Railway has already begun the process of lifting rails on its line between Smiths Falls and Mattawa. It is important that we prevent this action from happening in the Pembroke to Mattawa section. This portion of the rail line is essential for the economic development of the Ottawa Valley region and offers the shortest rail link between eastern and western Canada. It is well known that rail provides the most economical and environmentally friendly method of transport. It is essential that the ability to use rail for transportation in our province is not erased. Please help in our fight to keep this service available in Canada by signing the petition.

Petition to Save the Pembroke to Mattawa Rail Line

People all over Northern Ontario have been rallying together to help save the ONTC as well as the CP track between CP and Mattawa. Here are some updates:

Lack of ONR profits poor reason for government to sell it
Ontario Northland not for sale
Northern Mayors warn ONTC is just the beginning
Charlie Angus on the ONTC
Mayors Fight for ONTC
Both Sides in CP dispute want the same thing by Dave Watts

Articles regarding the status of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission and government reaction have been gracing the pages of various sources across the country. In case you missed them, here are the links to a variety of stories and commentary on the subject. It is encouraged that you review these articles to update yourself on the recent issues and actions taking place.

Thank You

Links to articles:

Derail provincial government's plans to kill train travel

'It's more of the same' Kelly Updated

The Ontario Northland Railway is in trouble again. For decades the Ontario Government has tried to squeeze the Ontario Northland Railway out of existence. The current Ontario Government debt has given the anti-rail influences in Government an opportunity to try to kill the Northlander again. This is very shortsighted, reactionary politics. There has also been a lot of rhetoric and misinformation coming out of government to justify this initiative. We are trying to sort through this information for the truth for our own rail initiatives. We will keep you updated. In the mean time see the:

Facebook page – Ontario Northland…Not For Sale

Also here are some articles about the Ontario Northland situation:

Derail provincial government’s plan to kill train travel — THEINK column – Sault Star

McGuinty’s ‘closed-door decisions’ hurting North, municipal leader says – SooToday

Keep Ontario Northland public says documentarian – Sault Star

Response to provincial Ontario Northland announcement – SooToday

Council chambers packed for special meeting on ONTC – North Bay Nugget

Ontario Northland decision, ‘a slap in the face’ – SooToday

De-Railed: The National Dream Sold Out at Film Festival

So we are doing a Second Screening

Since the screening on Sunday of De-Railed: The National Dream, a documentary on the deterioration of Railways in Canada, was sold out and people have been asking when a second one would be, we booked the Great West Life Amphitheatre (NW200) at Algoma University for Sat. March 24 at 7:30 pm. So we are on the road again—or on the tracks again!!!

Tickets will be ready to be sold starting this Friday March 9 at Storey Home Furniture at 274 North St. (corner of Wellington).

Dan Nysted, Documentary Film Maker of De-Railed: The National Dream

Tickets will be the same price as on Sunday: $8.

You can also contact the following about tickets for De-Railed-The National Dream:

• Linda: 705 949 2301 ext 4320  linda.savory-gordon@algomau.ca
• Storey Home Furniture: 705 942 2803 274 North St.

So pass the word!!!  Call anyone you know who didn’t make it to the first screening.

We are excited to announce that the premier screening of Dan Nystedt’s documentary film De-Railed: The National Dream will be on Sunday, March 4 at 5 pm in the Grand Theatre, Sault Ste. Marie as part of the Shadows of the Mind Film Festival. Limited seating so get your tickets soon!

De-Railed: The National Dream, is a documentary examining the crumbling state of the Canadian railway system. Having lost more than 10,000 kilometers of track since 1990, why has Canada allowed it’s “ribbon-of-rail” to become so tattered?

Go to www.shadowsfilmfest.com for ticket prices.

Tickets can be purchased at:

Canadian Mental Health Association

February 15 to March 1 (8:30am – 4:30pm)

386 Queen Street East

(705) 759-0458 ext 242

Station Mall Dennis Street Entrance

February 22 to March 1 (11am – 7pm)

and March 2 (11am – 5pm )

LopLops

March 1 and March 2 (5pm – 9:30pm) and

March 3 (11:3am0 – 9:30pm) and

March 4th (12:00pm – 7:00pm)

651 Queen St. E – just east of the Grand Theatre

Set for the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd of September, 2012, join us in celebrating the 94th anniversary of the Group of Seven painting along the ACR. This year’s featured artist is Tom Thomson. Contact David Craig at 705-949-2301 ext. 4734 or david.craig@algomau.ca about reserving your spot at this year’s Event. More details to follow…

Click the link below to listen as Linda Savory-Gordon chats with Mathieu Grégoire from Radio-Canada about CAPT and the return of passenger service between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury. (In French)

Cliquez sur le lien ci-dessous pour écouter comme Linda Savory-Gordon discute avec Mathieu Grégoire de Radio-Canada au sujet CAPT et le retour des services passagers entre Sault Ste. Marie et Sudbury.

Radio-Canada Interview

CAPT has featured in the Sudbury Star and Sault Star in recent days, check the links below to view the articles.

From the Sudbury Star:
Group Petitions for New Ride

From the Sault Star:
Group Petitions for New Ride Between Sudbury and Sault

Click for Part 1

Click for Part 2