As far as I know it will be an actual station, not a shelter. That's why it's a separate contract. I guess we will have to wait for details.
And they would do what for a living? Temagami is a seasonal tourist town that serves summer residents on the lake and surrounding area plus travellers. The mine closed years ago.
I suspect the only reason both VIA and ONR stop in Washago is largely historic. I think east of Lake Simcoe would better serve the area but here we are.
Much of Northern Ontario is primarily a resource-based economy, so ebbs and flows with the 'harvesting' of natural resources, including availability and markets. The Clay Belts, being agricultural, are a little more stable. Most communities have a 'big daddy' employer and if/when it leaves, the town withers, since there is little other reason for its continued existence. Ask Iroquois Falls, Smooth Rock Falls or, more recently, Terrace Bay or Espanola. If there is no work, why be there? House values go into the toilet so it's hard to move. You might hang in but yours kids won't.
Beyond a main employer, another factor is the pull back of services, such as government offices and banks. It's not their job to support local employment, but when OPP, MNRF, etc. offices close (or become staffed from afar) or a bank shuts its branch down, you loose decent, year-round income. Once families , particularly young families go, demand for services such as grocery stores and schools drops. It becomes a vicious cycle. Better transportation options might help people from leaving but, in and of itself, won't be a reason for people coming to live.
I would suspect the majority of any population growth will primarily be in the cities, but don't know, and don't know how they have defined 'northern Ontario'. I understand there has been some growth in the Clay Belts as Mennonite families are cashing in down south and re-activation marginal land. Climate change is allowing crops that were previously not viable.
