The Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains would like to thank Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Debbie Amaroso for her continued support for the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission. We appreciate your ongoing work and cooperation with other regional mayors to help resolve transportation issues in Northern Ontario, particularly passenger rail.
May 01
The Citizen’s Guide to Sustainable Transportation Advocacy
Please take the time to read the attached article written by Greg Gormick. Transport Action Ontario released the “Citizen’s Guide to Sustainable Transportation Advocacy” in early April. Gormick’s rules for citizen action in the field of transportation are presented clearly for all of those who believe in better public transportation.
http://www.transport-action.ca/dc/TAOCitizensGuide3April2013.pdf
Apr 24
De-Railed in the News
Recently CAPT member Dr Linda Savory Gordon and film maker Dan Nystedt were interviewed by CTV about their upcoming screening of De-Railed: The National Dream in Toronto. Below is a link to the video that was aired in March.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=908176
The next public screening of the film will be in North Bay on May 8, 2013, 7:00 pm at Nipissing University Theatre (F213), 100 College Drive. Admission is free.
Apr 23
North Bay Premiere of De-Railed: Everyone is Invited
NORTH BAY PREMIERE
DE-RAILED: THE NATIONAL DREAM
Documentary film by Dan Nystedt
May 8, 2013, 7:00 pm
Nipissing University Theatre (F213), 100 College Drive
Admission Free
When Nystedt rode the rails across Canada looking for answers to his question of why Canada is letting its rail system deteriorate when most other countries are investing heavily in their railways, he filmed a wide range of people, including: Robert Bateman (Artist and Environmentalist); Harry Gow (Co-founder, Transport Action Canada), Dean Del Mastro (M.P. Peterborough/Chair, All-Party Rail Caucus); Nicholas Heap (Climate Change Policy Analyst, David Suzuki Foundation); Gerald Gauthier (Director, Industry Liaison, Railway Association of Canada); Brian Kelly (President, CAW Union Local 103); Joseph Boardman (President/CEO Amtrak); Chief Isadore Day (Chief, Serpent River First Nation); Dr. Barry Wellar (Professor Emeritus, University of Ottawa), as well as people in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario who are working passionately to save their local rail lines from being abandoned. These interviews convey the environmental, economic, geographic and social reasons that Canada’s rail system must be returned to being the envy of the world.
Interspersed with very analytical, thoughtful and factual interviews, Nystedt brings us beautiful footage of the rail corridors through which he traveled as well as a selection of music with rhythms that aptly suit the rail cinematography.
The 70 minute film will not only inform, but it will likely ignite in its viewers a desire to join in the formation of a Canada-wide movement to ensure that we will have the kind of rail system we need to take us into a future of high fuel costs and the imperative to reduce carbon emissions.
In light of the current funding cuts for rail in Northern Ontario by both the Ontario government (ONTC) and the Federal government (VIA), this film screening could not be more timely.
Opening remarks will be made by one of the film’s producers.
A trailer for the film can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1tdJ6q7jYg.
For further information please contact: Linda Savory Gordon at linda.savory-gordon@algomau.ca 705 949 2301 ext 4320 or Andre Boileau at boileau.aj@gmail.com 705 724 6979.
Apr 18
“How to Kill a Passenger Train” by Phil Koning
Take a minute to read this thought provoking blog by Phil Koning on the factors behind the decision to divest the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.
http://northernontariopoliticalissues.blogspot.ca/2013/04/how-to-kill-passenger-train-no-targets.html
Apr 10
You Are Invited!
You are invited to the opening of the long awaited for “All Aboard Algoma: Over 100 years of Passenger Service” exhibit at the Sault Ste. Marie Museum. This exhibit is the culmination of hard work, memories and donations from across the Algoma region. Themes will range from: the building of the Algoma Central Railway, The Sault Branch of the CPR and all the other passenger connections in between, the many uses of the railway, important passenger rail events and everything in between. We welcome you to come take a walk back in time and witness the pivotal role that rail once played (and can again) in Algoma as it helped to better connect the population to the rest of the country. The Exhibit will run from April 9- June 22nd. The opening reception, which is open to everyone will be help on April 13 from 2-4pm. Hope you can join us!
Feb 26
Group of Seven & Glenn Gould Train Event
A.Y. Jackson – “First Snow Algoma” 1920
The Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains invites you to celebrate the 95th Anniversary of the Group of Seven painting on the Algoma Central Railway and the 81thbirthday of Glenn Gould, pianist extraordinaire and devotee of Lake Superior and the Algoma Highlands.
September 20, 21 & 23, 2013
The magnificence of the Algoma Highlands clad in autumn splendour, the rugged northern coastline of Lake Superior, wild rivers descending out of the Highlands and into great lake – these have inspired many, including the painters of the Group of Seven and Canada’s internationally celebrated pianist, Glenn Gould. Join the Group of Seven & Glenn Gould Train Event 2013 and learn through experience, why and how the North Country so moved these men.
In 2013 the Train Event has a new format, in response to popular demand, which includes more time and activities spent in those areas of the North Country where members of the Group of Seven, and Glenn Gould, worked and wandered.
The Event will begin with a reception and presentation on Alexander Young Jackson, this year’s featured artist, and Jackson’s Algoma experience. The Art Gallery of Algoma, Sault Ste. Marie, will host the presentation on the evening of Friday, September 20.
On September 21, participants will board the Algoma Central Railway in Sault Ste. Marie and travel north to Hawk Junction (Wawa) on the same rails that took members of the Group to their various painting sites along the ACR. The train trip will include a live commentary on the Group’s painting sites visible from the train. The tour will be conducted by Michael Burtch, art historian and researcher.
At Hawk Junction the coach tour begins as participants leave the ACR and proceed into Wawa to the Wawa Motor Inn, Glenn Gould’s former lodging. In the evening guests will enjoy an excellent dinner at Rock Island Lodge set on the shore of Lake Superior, followed by a presentation with musicologist, Dale Innes, on the role the north played in the music of Glenn Gould.
Gould was a regular visitor to Wawa and the areas around Michipicoten. On the morning of the 22rd, following the opportunity to participate in a sketchbook journaling or photography art session or a coach tour of Wawa, participants will trace Gould’s footsteps as they tour those haunts – the waterfalls and shorelines – frequented by the pianist. Skills learned at the sketching and photography sessions can be put to use during the tour.
In the afternoon of September 22, participants will travel down what has been called one of Canada’s finest road trips – the magnificent eastern coastline of Lake Superior – as the Event winds its way back to Sault Ste. Marie. Stops are made to visit lookouts and points of interest including Lake Superior Provincial Park and its comprehensive Visitor Centre. The Train Event draws to an end in the late afternoon.
Ticket prices are as follows:
$390.00 for double occupancy (Tax incl)
$430.00 for single occupancy. (Tax incl)
Ticket includes train and coach transportation to and from Wawa, accommodation in Wawa, lunch and dinner on September 21, breakfast and lunch on September 22, and all presentations, tours, choice of art sessions or Wawa tour, and reception.
Tickets can be purchsed by calling the Community Theatre Box Office, Station Mall 705-945-7299
For more information please contact Dr. Linda Savory Gordon at 705-949-2301 ext 4320 or Linda.Savory-Gordon@Algomau.ca
Feb 21
CAPT, ONTC and Dr. Barry Wellar’s Report: What YOU can do now
| Supporters of The Northlander, ONR, ONTC, and the Provision of Better Passenger and Freight Rail Service in Northern Ontario.
As you are likely aware, the final report of the ONR-ONTC Research Task Force chaired by Dr. Barry Wellar is now posted on various websites, including Transport Action Ontario, Transport Action Canada, and Wellar Consulting Inc. A lot of excellent work went into this project, and I believe that it deserves being brought forcefully and repeatedly, if necessary, to the attention of the Premier (Kathleen Wynne), Cabinet Ministers (especially Glen Murray, Michael Gravelle, David Orazietti, Charles Sousa, Eric Hoskins, and Linda Jeffrey), leaders and MPPs from all parties, and the media. Marie Price, CAPT Co-Chair Dear ——–; I have read the reports prepared by Professor Barry Wellar regarding the decisions to terminate The Northlander, and to divest the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission. As you may be aware, all the reports prepared by Dr. Wellar on this topic are posted on the Transport Action Ontario, Transport Action Canada, and the Wellar Consulting Inc. websites (Transport Action Ontario, Transport Action Canada, and Wellar Consulting Inc. ). In the final report Dr. Wellar concludes that there was no substantive basis for the decision to terminate The Northlander, or the decision to divest the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission and, as a result, both decisions should be rescinded immediately. I have not seen any published evidence from any politician or provincial government agency which counters the findings and conclusions of Dr. Wellar, which raises three questions that I request you answer immediately given the urgent need to deal with matter as soon as possible: 1. If there is evidence which counters the reports prepared by Dr. Wellar, who has this evidence, where is it, and how do I obtain this evidence so that it may be examined? In the event that you have any questions about what I mean by evidence, please refer to the reports by Dr. Wellar and, in particular, to the report titled ONR-ONTC Research Task Force Interim Report 1: Requests for Details About and Access to Studies Behind the Decisions to Terminate The Northlander and Divest the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission. I look forward to receiving your prompt response to my questions. In the interests of time and convenience, please respond by email. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. LINKS TO DR. WELLAR’S REPORTS |
Jan 25
Two Questions that Test- Dr Barry Wellar
For those of you who have been waiting, Dr Barry Wellar’s paper “Two Questions that Test” is now available for your review. It contains his comments on the slides that were presented at the National Dream Renewed meeting in Sault Ste. Marie on November 8, 2012. A link to it is provided below, as well it is available in the Films & Documents section of the website.
Jan 14
Chamber members updated on New Deal for Northern Ontario
http://www.baytoday.ca/content/news/details.asp?c=50350&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed