August 10, 2011
NDP launches "save
rail" campaign
Local
NDP candidate Brian Dougherty has launched an online campaign as part
of his effort to raise a public outcry to prevent the removal of the
Ottawa Valley's only rail line.
While people are enjoying vacations and summer weather, CP Rail is at
work beginning the process of ripping up the train tracks through the
Ottawa Valley, to the dismay of local residents, he said.
"It is unfathomable in this era of environmental concern for the
provincial government to stand idly by while this critical
transportation infrastructure is destroyed," said Dougherty, the
Ontario NDP candidate in Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke.
"They should be building infrastructure, not destroying it."
Dougherty, who was nominated provincial NDP candidate in June, points
to the provincial $30 million invested to save the CP rail in Northern
Ontario as a precedent.
"While we see investment in our neighbouring ridings to the North,
South East and West, we watch our infrastructure get ripped out of the
ground," he said.
Alternatively, Dougherty is calling for the provincial, federal and
municipal governments to come to the table to develop a regional
transportation strategy that connects the Valley with Ottawa, Ontario
and the world.
"The CP Rail line provides the perfect basis for a commuter rail to and
from the city for residents and tourists, while offering local farmers
and manufacturers a sustainable transportation alternative as the price
of gas continues to skyrocket," said Dougherty.
The Counties of Renfrew and Lanark called on both the provincial and
federal governments to come to the table and play a key role in saving
this economic asset.
Resolutions were followed by a rally and press conference by municipal
leaders on Parliament Hill, calling for a moratorium on rail line
discontinuance to allow all stakeholders to have a coherent dialogue on
the future of the rail line.
"The responding silence has been deafening," said Dougherty.
"It is just another example of the McGuinty government's blatant
disregard for rural Ontarians, while funneling money to the big cities
for urban projects."
Dougherty is calling on residents throughout the Valley to speak up and
make their voices heard through a Facebook campaign, Save the Railway.
To participate, residents take a picture of themselves standing on the
tracks, post it on Facebook at Brian Dougherty ONDP and spread the word.
Residents are also encouraged to post pictures of local rail activity,
to monitor the removal operations.
"This is a way for residents to get involved and speak up before it is
too late," said Dougherty.
"If social media can transform governments, surely it can rally common
sense."
Despite the imminent threat to the rail line, Dougherty said he remains
an active optimist.
"As long as the rails are still in the ground, we are not going to give
up trying to save them for future generations," he said.
"After all, this is our home, and if we want our kids and grandkids to
say the same, we have to plan and invest in our future."
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