Historic Investment in Rail Transportation

I am proud that our government is making the largest investments in VIA Rail’s history, strengthening Canadian manufacturing while creating good jobs and improving passenger rail service for communities across the country.

For the first time in four decades, VIA Rail passenger cars will once again be built right here in Canada. Our government is investing more than $4.7 billion in 313 new passenger rail cars, with manufacturing and assembly taking place in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and La Pocatière, Quebec, and design and engineering work in Saint Bruno de Montarville, Quebec.

This is an important investment in Canadian workers, businesses, and expertise. It will support nearly 700 jobs in Ontario and Quebec and generate more than $1.6 billion in economic benefits. By bringing this manufacturing back home, we are strengthening our industrial capacity and creating opportunities for generations to come.

This announcement builds on another major investment we recently made. Our government announced in August $1.95 billion to renew VIA Rail’s locomotive fleet for long distance, regional, and remote services. For the first time in more than 25 years, passenger locomotives will once again be assembled in Montréal, with up to 36 of 45 new hybrid locomotives undergoing final assembly here.

The investment also includes $357 million for a new assembly and maintenance facility at VIA Rail’s Montréal Maintenance Centre. This project will support approximately 1,200 direct and indirect jobs in manufacturing, engineering, construction, maintenance, and Canada’s railway supply chain. It will also position Montreal as a leader in rail innovation, with these locomotives becoming the first hybrid powered passenger trains in North America.

A prosperous economy starts with investing in the people, businesses, and industries that make Canada stronger. These historic investments in passenger rail are another important step toward creating good jobs, supporting Canadian manufacturing, and building a more resilient future.