Via Rail

• OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 13, 2023 /CNW/ - The High Frequency Rail project will be the largest Canadian infrastructure project in generations.
• Today, the Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant, Pablo Rodriguez, announced the launch of the Request for Proposals (RFP).
• Following the evaluation period, the Government of Canada will select the group who will become the private developer partner to work collaboratively with VIA HFR to design and develop the High Frequency Rail project.
• "The launch of the Request for Proposals for the High Frequency Rail project marks a significant milestone.

• Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, welcomed the appointment of Martin Imbleau as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of VIA HFR – VIA TGF Inc. (VIA HFR), effective September 8, 2023.
• This follows an open, transparent and merit-based selection process carried out by VIA HFR's Board of Directors.
• His experience in the operation and development of transportation infrastructure and his willingness to innovate will also prove invaluable to the HFR project.
• VIA HFR operates at arms-length from VIA Rail and is a dedicated project office for the High Frequency Rail project.

• Cities like Toronto are struggling with growing populations, public health problems including mental illness and drug addiction, inequality, a climate emergency, biodiversity loss, pollution and decaying infrastructure.
• We need to rethink cities and urban change by embracing talent, innovation and collaboration, as suggested by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17 and C40 cities priorities.

Better public-private collaborations

• It has not only caused construction and traffic delays, but has also eroded the city’s relationship with its private partner.
• Proven PPP management expertise is valuable as an export because other cities and countries haven’t figured them out either.
• We need a common vision while building better and faster.

A better Ontario

• Many would like to live in a smaller city or town and either work locally, remotely, or have fast transportation to a Toronto office.
• Helping commuters access a higher quality of life in smaller cities makes a lot of sense for Toronto and its surrounding communities.
• Toronto would not need to continue its sprawl if people could commute quickly from other, more affordable communities.
• This model of connected, distributed city centres would improve Ontario for all of us.

Is high-speed rail a reality?

• The Québec-Windsor corridor, which stretches between Québec City and Windsor, has the population density to support high-speed rail.
• If we build high-speed electric rail across Ontario in environmentally sensitive ways, other cities could grow as well.
• For example, Via Rail has to use the same rails that freight trains use.
• Since the priority is freight, not moving people, this slows down Via Rail service.

Canada is playing catch-up

• Canada is currently the only G7 country to not have high-speed rail.
• Morocco has high-speed rail between Casablanca and Tangier at 320 km/hr and plans to connect 43 cities with rail.
• Ontario has a unique opportunity to develop more effective PPP processes to accelerate the implementation of high-speed rail.

• Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra welcomed the appointment of Ms. Fiona Blondin to the VIA HFR – VIA TGF Inc. (VIA HFR) Board of Directors.
• Mrs. Blondin's wealth of experience working with Indigenous peoples and on infrastructure projects involving Indigenous peoples, as well as her own personal experiences will prove invaluable to the VIA HFR Board.
• "I am thrilled to welcome Fiona Blondin to the VIA HFR Board of Directors.
• Indigenous Peoples and all Canadians who may have input, questions or concerns about the project, can provide their feedback through the VIA HFR website .