Letter to Federal Minister Freeland regarding Passenger Rail

The new Carney government is emphasizing nation building projects, including building high speed rail connecting communities between Windsor and Quebec City, and building new trade corridors including railways. Carney also called for these projects to be built at a rapid pace.

We have written Minister of Transport and International Trade Chrystia Freeland discussing improvements to Canada’s passenger rail system. We believe that VIA Rail and other passenger rail operations must succeed in the short term if Alto (high speed rail) is to succeed in the short term. We highlighted six challenges that Transport Canada must help resolve.

• Resolve VIA-CB dispute about speed at level crossings
• Resolve VIA-CN dispute about train service agreement and passenger rail priority
• Develop standards for higher speed and electrification
• Develop enhanced train control regulations
• Make additional investments beyond Toronto – Quebec City
• Direct federal funds to public transportation, not urban highways

Our letter can be viewed below.