MONTREAL — Two Canadian unions whose contracts with Canadian National Railway expired at the end of 2022 have voted in favor of a strike, CityNews reports. Unifor Local 100 and Unifor Council 4000 have voted 98% and 97%, respectively, in favor of a strike. The two unions represent about 3,000 workers in mechanical, intermodal, and […]
Zone & Region: Canada
Transport Canada to fund 20 rail projects addressing climate change
OTTAWA — Transport Canada will provide up to C$5.4 million in funding for 20 projects nationwide under the Rail Climate Change Adaption Program, which seeks to better prepare railroads for dealing with conditions such as flooding, fires, and more extreme operating temperatures. The program supports research, development, and deployment of innovative technologies, tools, and approaches […]
Metrolinx says it has new site for GO Transit layover facility
TORONTO — Metrolinx, the Ontario transit agency which oversees GO Transit commuter trains, has abandoned plans to build a facility for midday servicing of commuter trains in Toronto’s Don Valley, a plan opposed by residents concerned about potential damage to the environment and nearby parkland. The Toronto Globe and Mail reports the Metrolinx proposal would […]
Canadian National sets grain tonnage record for February
Canadian National set a grain volume record for February by moving 2.4 million metric tons out of Western Canada for the month, topping the record set last year by 200,000 metric tons. CN attributes February’s performance to increased collaboration between supply chain partners, which helped the railway bounce back from a period of extreme cold. […]
Quebec pension fund indicates interest in High Frequency Rail project
MONTREAL — Quebec’s public pension management fund says it is considering mounting a bid to develop the High Frequency Rail project for Transport Canada. The Montreal Gazette reports that Charles Emond, CEO of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, told reports Thursday that his organization is “looking at this actively, with a lot of […]
Truck bolster corrosion said to be main concern with VIA’s stainless steel fleet: Analysis
MONTREAL — Tests to determine the structural soundness of VIA Rail Canada cars manufactured by the Budd Co. from the late 1940s to mid-1950s are ongoing and formal reports have yet to be issued. However, preliminary information shared with Trains News Wire indicates that the while the cars remain fundamentally sound, corrosion may need to […]
Siemens to provide maintenance services for Metrolinx rail operations
TORONTO — Siemens Mobility will provide track, signal, and right-of-way maintenance for Metrolinx rail operations in the West Region of Toronto, expanding an existing agreement with the provincial agency that oversees public transportation in the Toronto and Hamilton area. “We are excited to continue our partnership with Metrolinx, helping them keep their systems running safely […]
Quebec support for high speed rail could be a challenge for High Frequency project
MONTREAL — With political support lining up in Quebec behind high speed rail service between that province and Ontario, Canada’s Transport Minister — who has been working to advance a more conventional-speed “High Frequency Rail” project — has said he is open to a hybrid approach along the corridor. Global News reports Transport Minister Omar […]
Following referendum, Quebec town plans to fight bypass
FRONTENAC, Quebec — The results of a Sunday referendum showing strong opposition to the proposed Lac-Mégantic bypass mean the municipality of Frontenac will do everything it can to fight the rail-line relocation, Frontenac’s mayor said Monday. Mayor Gaby Gendron told the Canadian Press “it’s absolutely certain the municipal council will oppose the project by all […]
Quebec town votes against Lac-Mégantic bypass
FRONTENAC, Quebec — The town of Frontenac has voted in resounding fashion against the planned bypass to remove Canadian Pacific’s rail line from Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, but the results of the referendum apparently will not change the plans for the project. The CBC reports 92% of those in the community of 1,600 who cast ballots in […]
Transport Canada defining process to narrow field of potential High Frequency Rail developers to three
OTTAWA — Transport Canada is defining the process to “qualify and identify” no more than three private firms to participate in the Request For Proposals to develop the Quebec City-Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto “High Frequency Rail” passenger corridor, the agency announced Friday, Feb. 17. The announcement the agency is working to define the Request For Qualifications protocols as […]
Unifor workers ratify new contract with Canadian Pacific
MONTREAL — Canadian Pacific mechanical workers represented by Canadian union Unifor have ratified a two-year contract with CP, the union announced Thursday. The agreement, which runs through Dec. 31, 2024, covers approximately 1,200 workers who maintain and inspect locomotives and freight cars, and produce components for rolling stock and track. The union said the agreement […]