11 November 2010

Federal Government Passes on
Buying up Valley Rail Line

Ottawa Ontario - The federal government has decided not to purchase the Ottawa Valley Railway line.
 
The government had until Friday, 5 Nov 2010 to decide if it wanted to purchase the line, but appears to have passed on the offer.
 
"They haven't made any noise one way or the other," said Mississippi Mills Mayor Al Lunney, during an interview earlier this week. "But it seems like they've passed."
 
Lunney is working as spokesman on the issue on behalf of Lanark County.
 
Even though the federal government does not appear interested owning the line, Lunney hopes that they can do their bit to save the line.
 
"We're still trying to put pressure on them to stop, put a moratorium on it," said Lunney. Part of the reason for calling for a moratorium is to allow a new council to come in and get up to speed on the issue, with many new area councillors being sworn in next month.
 
If the provincial government decides to pass on the line, the City of Ottawa's OC Transpo will have until 5 Jan 2011 to decide if it wants the line. Other municipalities will, barring a purchase from OC Transpo, have until 4 Feb 2011 to snap up the line.
 
Carleton-Mississippi Mills MP Gordon O'Connor has tried to arrange a meeting between Lunney and federal transport, infrastructure, and communities minister Chuck Strahl, but it doesn't look like that will transpire.
 
"I don't think that is going to happen. I have spoken to O'Connor and he has spoken to Strahl," said Lunney, who added that a meeting does not appear to be coming.
 
"The federal government is not interested in preserving rail lines unless there (is an) economic benefit," said Lunney.
 
He noted that, even if it is not interested in owning the line, the federal government will need to be part of any deal to save it.
 
"It's going to be a partnership, with the feds, province, ourselves, and private industry," said Lunney. "Let's figure out what we want to do with this line."
 
He noted that the Canadian National line from Pembroke, that goes into Quebec, has a purchase proposal for a private tourist line.
 
"They've had 100 percent cooperation from CN and we haven't had that (with CP)," said Lunney.
 
The ball is now in the court of the provincial government, who has until Monday, 6 Dec 2010 to consider if they want to purchase the line. Area MPPs Norm Sterling, John Yakabuski, and Randy Hillier, were scheduled to raise the issue at Queen's Park in Toronto on Monday, 8 Nov 2010. He has also been in correspondence with provincial infrastructure minister Bob Chiarelli.
 
Lunney pointed out that having a rail line is important for any future economic development.
 
"The rail line has to be there for something that might be there in the future," he said, noting that the Almonte business park has access to the rail line for any future business that might need to utilize it.
 
"Once you take it out, it's gone," he added
 
The railway tracks that used to run along Coleman Street in Carleton Place were removed many years ago, something that Lunney does not want to see happen to any other Valley community.
 
"That was a real wake up call to this area. It did not make sense to do that," said Lunney of the Carleton Place decision. "It's nice to put a walking track (in the rail's place), but you're putting 1,000 cars onto the road."
 
Lunney and the county are working on launching a media campaign to urge citizens to contact their MPs and MPPs to save the line. Lunney was a guest on CFRA 580 AM for an hour-long debate on the issue this Monday morning to kick off the campaign. The campaign will continue with newspaper ads.
 
"We're going to get the people involved in this campaign," said Lunney.
 
While his own time as mayor of Mississippi Mills winds down on Tuesday, 30 Nov 2010, he noted that he would like to continue on as the spokesman for the county on this issue.
 
"I would like to be saying my two cents every day on this issue," said Lunney. "I will continue to champion (the line.)"
 
Desmond Devoy.