OTTAWA, Ontario — Jonathan Goldbloom, a member of the VIA Rail Canada board since 2017, has been named as VIA’s board chairman effective April 12, 2025.
Goldbloom’s five-year appointment as chairman was announced on Saturday, March 8, by Minister of Transport at Internal Trade Anita Anand.
Goldbloom, of Montreal, is a partner at Avenue Strategic Communications in Montreal, which describes itself as a full-service communications and public relations firm. He previously was founder and president of his own firm specializing in crisis management and stakeholder outreach. VIA, in a March 12 press release, said he has played a key role in the company’s strategic direction, particularly the High Frequency Rail project, now the high-speed project Alto [see ”
“I am pleased to announce that Jonathan Goldbloom will serve as Chairperson of VIA Rail,” Anand said in a press release. “He brings considerable experience in the transportation and rail industries to his new role. I wish him every success in his work to connect Canadians across the country.”
Goldbloom will succeed Françoise Bertrand, who has been board chair since spring 2017.
“We are pleased to welcome Jonathan Goldbloom as Chairperson of the Board,” said VIA CEO Mario Peloquin. “His deep understanding of VIA Rail’s mission, combined with his leadership in key strategic initiatives, makes him well-positioned to help us continue transforming Canada’s passenger rail service.”
VIA Rail also thanked Bertrand for her leadership over the past eight years. Under her stewardship, the organization has made significant progress in modernizing its services and operations.
— Updated March 13 at 9 a.m. CT with information from VIA Rail Canada.
Maybe he should suggest that VIA should run some trains.
He will suggest nothing, just another liberal insider getting a cushy job.