NDP says Long-Term Solution Needed for Huron Central Railway

**NDP NEWS RELEASE**

NDP MPP Michael Mantha said Thursday that investment in the Huron Central short line railway is welcome — but that a long-term solution is needed to protect thousands of jobs, largely in the steel industry.

“Every dollar for Huron Central is welcome,” said Mantha, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin and the NDP’s critic for Northern Development and Mines.   “But the thousands of women and men in Ontario’s northern steel and forestry industries need to know they’re going to have jobs not just for a couple months, but for the long-haul. We need a long-term, stable solution that makes sure the Huron Central short line runs for as long as Ontario is producing great steel.”

Huron Central Railway runs between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie, moving products including steel and timber from Algoma, Eacom Timber and Domtar. The previous and current governments have pledged six-figure amounts, but both the Liberals and now the Conservatives have failed to come to the table with a long-term solution for the critical rail operation. The NDP vowed a $20-million investment to keep the railway moving, and protect more than 3,400 jobs.