Omnitrax reduces freight service on northern line

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This article was published 27/07/2016 (2435 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s Opposition NDP says it’s learned that Omnitrax is reducing freight service on its northern rail line, threatening to drive up the cost of food and other goods for Churchill and other communities.

Flin Flon MLA Tom Lindsey also criticized the provincial Progressive Conservative government Wednesday for failing to show more leadership about Omnitrax’s abrupt decision to lay off port staff in Churchill.

“This is a disaster for Northern Manitoba,” said Lindsey. “The loss of 10 per cent of Churchill’s jobs is devastating to the community, and the future of the port is now in doubt. The loss of freight shipments adds insult to injury and will almost certainly drive up food prices and limit access to necessary supplies.”

The Manitoba NDP say it’s been told that Omnitrax will reduce freight shipments to once a week from twice a week as of Friday.

Communities along Omnitrax’s network are losing key services that help them prosper, the NDP say.

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Since news of the port closure broke late Monday, Premier Brian Pallister has not addressed the issue. A spokeswoman for the premier said Wednesday he may be available for comment on Thursday.

“Pallister’s government hasn’t said much, but they did reassure Northern Manitobans not to be worried about freight service,” Lindsey said. “They are either misleading Manitobans or not concerned, and I don’t know which is worse.”