Conservative Senate leader criticizes $330K rebrand of high-speed rail project
A Via Rail train is seen on tracks in Dorval, Que., as it heads out of Montreal on May 23. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
MONTREAL — The Senate opposition leader says it was 'irresponsible' for a federal Crown corporation to spend $330,000 on a rebranding exercise.
Conservative Sen. Leo Housakos says the decision to pay an outside marketing firm to help design a new name and brand for a Via Rail subsidiary was another example of wasteful spending by the Liberal government.
Housakos was referring to Alto, a Crown corporation responsible for building a high speed rail project between Toronto and Quebec City.
Documents obtained by The Canadian Press show the corporation changed its name and pivoted to high-speed rail because of a lack of public support for a high-frequency rail project announced in 2021.
It changed its name from VIA-HFR to Alto as part of its rebranding.
The high-speed rail project was officially announced in February and would take passengers from Montreal to Toronto in just three hours.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025.
The Canadian Press
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
33 minutes ago
- CTV News
Armed Forces called in to help evacuate Pukatawagan as wildfire threatens airport
The Canadian Armed Forces were called in to help evacuate a northern Manitoba First Nation community in the path of a wildfire Friday morning. Speaking at a Friday afternoon news conference, Premier Wab Kinew said the province received multiple calls for help from Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan) as a wildfire was closing in on the community. 'The situation was very, very dangerous and scary,' Kinew said. The premier said the fire near the community was threatening the airport, resulting in 'a desperate need to accelerate the movement of people out of that community.' Canadian Armed Forces helicopters were brought in to perform reconnaissance work and to help evacuate residents through the day Friday. Kinew said the airport was not damaged by the fire, but heavy smoke is complicating emergency efforts in the area. The fire near Pukatawagan is 9,785 hectares and still out-of-control, according to Manitoba's fire map.
CTV News
33 minutes ago
- CTV News
Rallies in support of Canada Post workers scheduled across the country
People walk past the Canada Post facility in Mississauga, Ont., on Thursday, May 22, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette Rallies in support of Canada Post workers are set to take place across the country today amid ongoing labour tensions between the employer and the union representing roughly 55,000 staff. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers announced the rallies on its website, saying supporters will gather in 13 cities including Halifax, Toronto and Vancouver. The union says members won't stop fighting to protect and expand the public post office as Canada Post pushes for job and service cuts. The Canada Post presented what it called its 'final offers to the union on Wednesday, with concessions including an end to compulsory overtime and a signing bonus of up to $1,000. But it stuck to a proposal for a 14 per cent cumulative wage hike over four years and part-time staff on weekend shifts, a major sticking point in the talks. Canada Post says the two sides are at an impasse after months of conciliation and mediation and has asked Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu to force a union membership vote on its latest proposals. The union has been in a legal strike position as of May 23, but so far has opted instead for an overtime ban. The Crown corporation said this week it logged nearly $1.3 billion in operating losses last year, raising further questions about its business model as letter volumes plunge. An annual report released earlier this week said a month-long strike last fall stemming from the same contract negotiations cost the organization $208 million. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers took to the picket lines for 32 days in late 2024, snarling mail delivery over the busy holiday shopping season. With files from Christopher Reynolds in Montreal This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 31, 2025. The Canadian Press
CTV News
38 minutes ago
- CTV News
Postal worker rallies commence across Canada
CTV's Kamil Karamali on the postal worker rallies that are happening across the country as negotiations have broken down between both sides.
