Dear Mr. Ouelette,

Thank you very much for contacting the office of MPP Guy Bourgouin. Mr. Bourgouin and the New Democrats concur with you in that northerners deserve better, safe and efficient transportation choices. An affordable, fast transit system benefits everyone, and connects people with opportunities and businesses.

For 15 years, the Liberals did nothing but close doors for northern Ontarians. By shutting down the Northlander in 2012 the Liberal government made life harder for families, students, seniors and people with disabilities who relied on the rail system to attend school or medical appoints, travel for work, or just see their friends and family across the province.

Doug Ford and his Conservative government is letting down northerners just like the Liberals did. Instead of moving forward with his campaign commitment Doug Ford has repeatedly refused to commit to restoring the Northlander when pressed by New Democrat members. Rather than ensuring northerners have reliable inter-city transportation Doug Ford is more concerned with taking control of Toronto’s subway system, as a first step towards privatization, and cutting funding for public transit.

Northern Ontarians deserve so much better. Andrea Horwath and Ontario New Democrats will continue to advocate for the Conservative government to reinstate the Ontario Northlander passenger rail service as well as provide funding for other northern rail projects such as the Huron Central and Algoma Central Rail Lines. New Democrats believe that our railway system must remain in public hands because privatization only makes the transit system less accountable to the rider and the public, while adding private profits onto transit fares. I am going to fight for you and all Northeastern Ontarians to get back what we deserve.

Thank you again for taking the time to write to us.

Sincerely,

Guy Bourgouin

MPP for Mushkegowuk-James Bay