Latest news with #ViaRail
National Post
a day ago
- Politics
- National Post
Raymond J. de Souza: Riding the rails of a Canadian triumph
ON BOARD THE CANADIAN — One hundred and fifty years ago, on the left bank of the Kaministiquia River, four miles from Thunder Bay, the first sod was turned for the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was a June afternoon in 1875. Article content 'We have met today for no other purpose than to inaugurate the beginning of the actual construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway,' said Judge Delevan Van Norman to the assembly of some 500 dignitaries. Article content Article content Article content In this sesquicentennial summer of patriotic holidays prompted by the American menace — or more precisely, one menacing American — when better to board The Canadian, Via Rail's four-day trip from Vancouver to Toronto — over the Rockies, across the plains, around the Great Lakes and down the Canadian Shield? Article content Article content It's not exactly elbows-up in a sleeper berth or the dining car, but from each according to his ability, as our prime minister certainly did not say. Yet with George Grant, Pierre Berton and Richard Gwyn in my mobile library, it is a propitious time to think about the Canadian project. My copy of Lament for a Nation belonged to the late Hugh Segal, so memories of eminent Canadians are company along the rails. Article content A century and a half of history asks if we are still capable of great projects. Prime Minister Mark Carney insists that we are, and Parliament recently passed a bill fast-tracking projects of national importance. No project was ever as important as the CPR was to the nation. It made the nation. Article content Article content Judge Van Norman spoke of recent immigrants to Canada, who 'seeking a new home in this new world, but still under the old flag, may with celerity, safety and certainty examine the country from Cape Breton in Nova Scotia to Vancouver's Island in British Columbia, in the meantime passing over a space as vast as the great ocean that divides and separates the old world from the new.' Article content Article content Canada was still new in 1875; less than 10 years had passed since Confederation. This Sunday (July 20) marks the anniversary of British Columbia joining the fledgling Dominion in 1871. Sir John A. Macdonald promised a national railway as a condition of joining. It was an reckless promise to make, impossible to fulfill in any timely manner. Sir John A. kept his promise. Article content It was a national project, not a partisan one. Scandals over CPR contracts drove Sir John A. from office in 1873, but the project was continued by his successor, Alexander Mackenzie, Canada's first Liberal prime minister. How important was the CPR? Mackenzie appointed himself his own minister of public works, directing the railway project himself.
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Via Rail and union ratify new three-year collective agreement
MONTREAL — Via Rail says new collective agreements have been ratified with about 2,500 unionized workers. The agreements with Unifor's council 4000 and Local 100 cover the period from the start of this year through to the end of 2027. They include a three per cent annual wage increase for each of the next three years, as well as improved working conditions and benefits. Workers at the Crown corporation had voted for a strike mandate, but a walkout was averted in June when the company and union reached a tentative agreement. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The union represents workers at stations, maintenance centres, the customer care centre, in administrative offices and aboard trains. Unifor national president Lana Payne says the agreement delivers meaningful gains for members and protects the critical work they do. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here .
National Post
4 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Via Rail and union ratify new three-year collective agreement
MONTREAL — Via Rail says new collective agreements have been ratified with about 2,500 unionized workers. Article content The agreements with Unifor's council 4000 and Local 100 cover the period from the start of this year through to the end of 2027. Article content Article content They include a three per cent annual wage increase for each of the next three years, as well as improved working conditions and benefits. Article content Article content Workers at the Crown corporation had voted for a strike mandate, but a walkout was averted in June when the company and union reached a tentative agreement. Article content Article content
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Via Rail, union ratify new three-year collective agreement
A Via Rail train is seen on tracks in Dorval, Que., as it heads out of Montreal on Friday, May 23, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi MONTREAL — Via Rail says new collective agreements have been ratified with about 2,500 unionized workers. The agreements with Unifor's council 4000 and Local 100 cover the period from the start of this year through to the end of 2027. They include a three per cent annual wage increase for each of the next three years, as well as improved working conditions and benefits. Workers at the Crown corporation had voted for a strike mandate, but a walkout was averted in June when the company and union reached a tentative agreement. The union represents workers at stations, maintenance centres, the customer care centre, in administrative offices and aboard trains. Unifor national president Lana Payne says the agreement delivers meaningful gains for members and protects the critical work they do. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2025 The Canadian Press
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Via Rail, union ratify new three-year collective agreement
Published Jul 17, 2025 • 1 minute read Files: Via Rail sign Photo by Tony Caldwell / POSTMEDIA MONTREAL — Via Rail says new collective agreements have been ratified with about 2,500 unionized workers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The agreements with Unifor's council 4000 and Local 100 cover the period from the start of this year through to the end of 2027. They include a three per cent annual wage increase for each of the next three years, as well as improved working conditions and benefits. Workers at the Crown corporation had voted for a strike mandate, but a walkout was averted in June when the company and union reached a tentative agreement. The union represents workers at stations, maintenance centres, the customer care centre, in administrative offices and aboard trains. Unifor national president Lana Payne says the agreement delivers meaningful gains for members and protects the critical work they do. Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA MMA Tennis Toronto Maple Leafs
