Latest news with #VIARailCanada
Cision Canada
17-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
VIA RAIL AND UNIFOR RATIFY NEW COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS, ENSURING STABILITY AND GROWTH THROUGH 2027 Français
Renewed contracts for 2,500 employees include annual wage increases and enhanced working conditions. MONTRÉAL, July 17, 2025 /CNW/ - VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) is proud to announce the ratification of new three-year collective agreements with Unifor's Council 4000 and Local 100, covering approximately 2,500 employees nationwide. The agreements were approved by a majority of unionized employees and cover the period from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027. They provide a framework for stability, collaboration, and continued excellence in service delivery for Canadians. "These agreements represent a significant step forward for VIA Rail and our teams," said Mathieu Paquette, Chief Communications and Human Resources Officer at VIA Rail. "They reaffirm our shared commitment to building a workplace where employees feel valued and supported, while positioning us to continue delivering the safe, reliable, and accessible service our passengers count on every day." Key highlights of the agreements include: A 3% annual wage increase for each of the next three years (2025, 2026, and 2027) Enhanced working conditions and improved benefits across all agreements Paquette added: "We are grateful to our Unifor partners for their collaboration throughout this process, and to our negotiating teams for their dedication and professionalism. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a stronger future that benefits our employees, our passengers, and the communities we serve from coast to coast." The ratification of these agreements provides crucial stability for VIA Rail as it continues to modernize its operations and adapt to the evolving needs of travellers across Canada. About VIA Rail VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to operate the national passenger rail service on behalf of the Government of Canada, and to provide a safe, accessible, efficient, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible service that meets the needs of Canadian passengers. VIA Rail operates intercity trains connecting over 400 communities across Canada and ensuring rail transportation services to regional and remote communities. The Corporation safely transported over four million passengers in 2024 and has been awarded nine Safety Awards and three Environment Awards by the Railway Association of Canada. For more, visit our website:
Cision Canada
15-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
VIA RAIL CELEBRATES 120 YEARS OF THE OCEAN AND LOOKS TO THE FUTURE OF PASSENGER RAIL IN CANADA Français
HALIFAX, NS, July 15, 2025 /CNW/ - VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) marked a historic milestone today at its Halifax Station, celebrating 120 years of continuous service by The Ocean, Canada's oldest named passenger train. For more than a century, The Ocean has served as a vital link for communities across the Maritimes, carrying generations of Canadians and their stories across beautiful landscapes. "This isn't just a train, it's a thread that's woven together families, communities, and memories for 120 years," said Jonathan Goldbloom, Chairperson of VIA Rail's Board of Directors. "From soldiers leaving for war, to families reuniting at the holidays, to students heading off to start new chapters, The Ocean has carried them all. Today we honour that proud legacy and renew our commitment to keeping Canadians connected for generations to come." The celebration comes as VIA Rail undertakes the most significant modernization in its history, following the Government of Canada's historic investment in 2024 to renew VIA Rail's Pan-Canadian fleet. This transformative project will deliver modern, accessible, and sustainable trains to passengers across the country: from Halifax to Vancouver, and to the remote and northern communities that rely on passenger rail service. "This new fleet isn't just about replacing trains from the 1950s; it's about creating the kind of passenger experience Canadians deserve in the 21st century," said Mario Péloquin, President and CEO of VIA Rail. "Comfortable. Accessible. Energy-efficient. These investments will ensure that the next generation can create cherished memories on The Ocean and all our iconic routes." The restoration of Halifax Station, unveiled as part of the anniversary festivities, embodies this balance of honouring the past while preparing for the future. "This anniversary reminds us that while our tracks may be made of steel, what we're really building is connection: between people, communities, and this country we all share," added Goldbloom. As part of today's event, VIA Rail invited families, train enthusiasts, and Halifax residents to tour The Ocean and explore its historic and modern offerings. "Passenger rail has a bright future in this country," said Péloquin. "And we're proud to help shape it, with our partners, our employees, and most of all, our passengers." For 120 years, The Ocean has been a symbol of resilience, connection, and Canadian ingenuity. With the largest fleet renewal in its history now underway, VIA Rail is laying the tracks for an even more sustainable and inclusive future for passenger rail from coast to coast to coast. Quote " The Ocean is a vital link connecting communities, supporting local economies, and driving regional development. Investments in modern, accessible rail service are helping to strengthen economic opportunities and build a more connected, resilient Canada." The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade To access the media kit follow this link. About VIA Rail VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to operate the national passenger rail service on behalf of the Government of Canada, and to provide a safe, accessible, efficient, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible service that meets the needs of Canadian passengers. VIA Rail operates intercity trains connecting over 400 communities across Canada and ensuring rail transportation services to regional and remote communities. The Corporation safely transported over four million passengers in 2024 and has been awarded nine Safety Awards and three Environment Awards by the Railway Association of Canada. For more, visit our website:
Cision Canada
03-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
VIA RAIL TO HOLD ITS ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING ON AUGUST 21, 2025 Français
MONTREAL, July 3, 2025 /CNW/ - VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) invites the public to listen to its 2025 Annual Public Meeting (APM) to be aired on August 21, 2025, at 4 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on its YouTube channel. This pre-recorded session will offer a look back at the financial results, key performances and landmark projects of 2024, a year of transformation for VIA Rail, marked in particular by the announcement of historic funding for the replacement of its pan-Canadian fleet. The meeting will also be an opportunity to look to the future, with an overview of the next steps in the VIAction 2030 strategic plan, unveiled in 2024, and the priorities that will guide the Corporation's actions in the months ahead. Messages will be delivered by: Jonathan Goldbloom, VIA Rail's Chairperson of the Board of Directors Mario Péloquin, President and Chief Executive Officer Carl Delisle, Chief Financial and Technology Officer We want to hear from Canadians Once again this year, the public is invited to submit their questions to VIA Rail online through the Annual Public Meeting webpage. When: From July 4, 12:01 a.m. to July 7, 11:59 p.m. Answers to the most frequently asked questions will be shared on August 21 on the Annual Public Meeting webpage. Some of these questions will also be addressed during the broadcast. Event Details What: VIA Rail's 2025 Annual Public Meeting When: Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. (ET) Where: VIA Rail's YouTube channel VIA Rail's 2024 annual report is available in the Media Centre. About VIA Rail VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to operate the national passenger rail service on behalf of the Government of Canada, and to provide a safe, accessible, efficient, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible service that meets the needs of Canadian passengers. VIA Rail operates intercity trains connecting over 400 communities across Canada and ensuring rail transportation services to regional and remote communities. The Corporation safely transported over four million passengers in 2024 and has been awarded nine Safety Awards and three Environment Awards by the Railway Association of Canada. For more, visit our website:
Cision Canada
20-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
VIA RAIL REACHES TENTATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH UNION Français
MONTRÉAL, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ - VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) has reached tentative agreements with Unifor's Council 4000 and Local 100, the union representing approximately 2,400 VIA Rail employees working in its stations, on board its trains, in its maintenance centres, at the VIA Customer Centre, and in administrative offices. These tentative agreements are subject to a ratification vote by VIA Rail's Unifor members. Once ratified, the collective agreements will be retroactive to January 1, 2025, and will remain in effect through December 31, 2027. Agreement details will only be disclosed following member ratification. "We are pleased to have reached these tentative agreements with Unifor. From the outset, VIA Rail's management engaged in this round of negotiations in good faith, with the clear objective of reaching a fair and equitable solution that would safeguard the continued delivery of excellent service to all Canadians," said Mario Péloquin, President and CEO of VIA Rail. "This important step reflects the commitment and perseverance of both parties throughout the negotiation process. Our employees are essential contributors to our success, and these agreements will help us move forward together as we continue to serve Canadians from coast to coast with dedication and pride." About VIA Rail VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to operate the national passenger rail service on behalf of the Government of Canada, and to provide a safe, accessible, efficient, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible service that meets the needs of Canadian passengers. VIA Rail operates intercity trains connecting over 400 communities across Canada and ensuring rail transportation services to regional and remote communities. The Corporation safely transported over four million passengers in 2024 and has been awarded nine Safety Awards and three Environment Awards by the Railway Association of Canada. For more, visit our website:
Cision Canada
13-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
A TRANSFORMATIVE YEAR FOR VIA RAIL AMID ONGOING OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES Français
HIGHLIGHTS From January 1 st to Total revenues increased by $49.5 million (11.5%) compared to 2023 due to higher demand. 4.4 million passengers rode VIA Rail trains in 2024, an increase of 272,000 (6.6%) compared to 2023. The Corporation unveiled its new strategic plan, VIAction 2030, which aims to position VIA Rail as a best-in-class operator in North America and a leader in integrated mobility, placing passengers at the heart of the travel experience. VIA Rail received funding to replace its pan-Canadian fleet and offer new trains to Canadians from Coast to Coast to Coast. MONTRÉAL, June 13, 2025 /CNW/ - VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) marked a year of significant progress in 2024, continuing the strong growth trajectory seen since the pandemic. The Corporation reported revenues of $480.2 million, while ridership increased to 4.4 million passengers. Additionally, VIA Rail publicly introduced its bold new strategic plan, VIAction 2030, setting the stage for the future of passenger rail in Canada. "VIA Rail navigated 2024 with ambition and confidence, looking toward the future, while also addressing daily challenges that exposed certain vulnerabilities," said Françoise Bertrand, VIA Rail's former Chairperson of the Board of Directors. "Our promising future is expressed in a new strategic vision focused on transforming our organization to better serve Canadians for generations to come." Navigating Operational Challenges While 2024 was a year of growth and transformation for VIA Rail, it also presented operational hurdles, particularly in the Québec City–Windsor corridor. In the fourth quarter, new infrastructure regulations significantly impacted on-time performance, posing challenges in maintaining the high level of service passengers expect. VIA Rail is actively addressing these issues to enhance reliability and ensure a smoother travel experience. "This past year laid the foundation for VIA Rail's future, but it also brought unprecedented challenges," said Mario Péloquin, President and Chief Executive Officer. "In October, new regulations imposed by the host railway created significant disruptions in our corridor services. Despite these setbacks, Canadians continue to choose train travel in record numbers, and our financial performance remained strong, with a greater-than-expected reduction in our operating deficit." VIAction 2030: A Vision for the Future of Passenger Rail 2024 saw the introduction of VIA Rail`s 5-year strategic plan, VIAction 2030. Grounded in five strategic pillars, VIAction 2030 aims to improve VIA Rail's operations, enhance passenger service, and establish the company as a key player in integrated mobility across Canada. The plan sets out a transformative vision to provide Canadians with a seamless, sustainable, and customer-centric travel experience. Full Operation of the New Fleet in the Québec City – Windsor Corridor In 2024, VIA Rail marked a major milestone with the arrival of its new fleet in Southwestern Ontario. This modernization effort paves the way for the entire Québec City–Windsor corridor to be served by state-of-the-art, accessible, and environmentally friendly trains by summer 2025. The launch of these new, modern trains offers businesses a unique opportunity to integrate sustainable rail travel into their corporate travel policies. Adopting this approach is simple and can significantly lower an organization's environmental impact. With improved ergonomics, enhanced stability, brighter interiors, and better connectivity, these trains are designed to support productivity on the move, making them the smart choice for companies seeking both efficiency and sustainability. A New App to Simplify Your Journey In 2024, building on the success of its new reservation system introduced in 2023, VIA Rail launched a new mobile customer app. This app provides passengers with a convenient and efficient way to manage their reservations and access their VIA Preference accounts. Historic Investment: A New Pan-Canadian Fleet A landmark moment for VIA Rail came in 2024 when the Government of Canada announced funding for the replacement of the Corporation's pan-Canadian fleet as part of the federal budget. This historic investment, the largest in VIA Rail's history, will allow the Corporation to select a supplier to design and build modern, comfortable, accessible, and sustainable trains, ensuring a more connected Canada. "The history of Canada is closely intertwined with the history of train travel, and VIA Rail's long-distance routes hold a strong place in Canada," said Jonathan Goldbloom, Chair of the Board of Directors. "The replacement of VIA Rail's pan-Canadian fleet is essential to allow VIA Rail to maintain its services and will also ensure that the next generations of Canadians have access to modern comfortable trains in every corner of the country." VIA Rail's annual report is available at: About VIA Rail VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to operate the national passenger rail service on behalf of the Government of Canada, and to provide a safe, accessible, efficient, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible service that meets the needs of Canadian passengers. VIA Rail operates intercity trains connecting over 400 communities across Canada and ensuring rail transportation services to regional and remote communities. The Corporation safely transported over four million passengers in 2024 and has been awarded nine Safety Awards and three Environment Awards by the Railway Association of Canada. For more, visit our website:
