The Government of Canada and VIA Rail Canada announce funding for infrastructure to improve quality of service for travellers

OTTAWA, July 22, 2016 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada recognizes the importance for Canadian travellers to access a national rail transportation service that is safe, secure, efficient, reliable, and environmentally sustainable, and that meets their needs.

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, and Mr. Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA Rail Canada Inc., today announced a $34.4 million investment for improvements at stations and maintenance facilities in the Windsor-Quebec City rail corridor.

This funding will contribute to creating healthy communities by ensuring a safe travel service for people to see their family and friends and promoting long-term prosperity for middle-class Canadians. 

The $34.4 million investment is allocated to several improvement projects as part of the federal infrastructure initiative announced in Budget 2016. At VIA's Montréal and Toronto maintenance facilities, repairs and upgrades will be made to various mechanical and electrical systems, heating and ventilation, roof replacement, and water treatment systems. At stations in the Windsor-Quebec City corridor, upgrades will be made to various mechanical and electrical systems, heating and ventilation, roof replacement, and platform improvements. An additional $400,000 will also go towards the remediation of a federal contaminated site at VIA's Edmonton station.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada provided more than $395 million in annual funding in 2015-2016 to support VIA's operating and capital needs, with another $444.9 million earmarked for 2016-2017, including this $34.4 million.

Quotes

"This investment allows VIA Rail's rail corridor infrastructure to remain safe and secure while at the same time improving the passenger experience by making it more accessible and efficient for everyday Canadians."
The Honourable Marc Garneau,
Minister of Transport

"As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada is an important part of the climate change solution for Canada. Our services provide an accessible and affordable alternative to cars, the funds announced today support the necessary shift we need to make towards a more sustainable transportation system. We would like to thank the government of Canada for their continued support in helping VIA Rail to be a smarter way to move people."
Yves Desjardins-Siciliano
President and Chief Executive Officer, VIA Rail Canada

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through RSS, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities.

SOURCE Transport Canada

Delphine Denis, Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, 613-991-0700; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055