QUESTION PERIOD — Ministry of Transport
VIA Rail
October 27, 2022
Minister, in May 2022, the President of VIA Rail Canada, Cynthia Garneau, made a surprise announcement that she was resigning after being on the job for only three years. We don’t know why she resigned. VIA Rail has had an acting president for more than five months. VIA Rail will soon start a megaproject for high-frequency trains between Quebec City and Toronto, and we’re hearing about investments in the billions of dollars.
Minister, I’m very concerned. What is going on with VIA Rail’s governance? When will you appoint a president for VIA Rail Canada?
Thank you for that question and for giving me an opportunity to talk about this exciting investment that our government is making.
For decades, previous governments have talked about the importance of this corridor. It is our government that is proceeding with this project. This will be the largest infrastructure project in Canada’s history.
We have been making progress. In fact, today Transport Canada should be releasing a report of our consultation with the private sector about the next steps for proceeding with this project. In the last few years alone, our government has invested over $2 billion in VIA Rail Canada.
As for your question about the CEO, I wish Ms. Garneau the best. However, you’re asking me about a human resources matter that, I’m sure you understand, I’m unable to speak about on the floor of the Senate or anywhere else publicly for that matter.
