Rail announcement loses steam with details of federal commitment lacking
Passengers in train-starved southwestern Ontario received a political commitment that rail service will improve, but few details were provided.
Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra was joined by London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos, MP Kate Young, and Mayor Ed Holder for a much-anticipated announcement at the train station in London.
Alghabra said the federal government is, “exploring opportunities to enhance passenger rail services in southwestern Ontario to see how we can improve service west of Toronto.”
None of the politicians, however, would commit to a timeline or provide clear details about how train service might improve locally.
“More frequent, more reliable, faster service,” is how Alghabra described the goal.
The exploratory work will include VIA Rail and the Canada Infrastructure Bank through the High Frequency Rail Joint Project Office.
According to a news release, the feds will also be “reaching out to the Province of Ontario to identify areas of collaboration and avoid any duplication with provincial transportation plans, including new services to be offered by GO Transit and Metrolinx.”
On July 6, Alghabra announced a procurement process to provide higher-frequency VIA Rail service from Toronto to Quebec City, including the construction of separate passenger rail lines to eliminate delays caused by freight trains.
The announcement made in London committed to better link travel from southwestern Ontario to that interprovincial corridor.
“It starts with one important step,” added Fragiskatos. “Today we heard a very firm commitment that London will be a very important part of that system. Now we have to understand how to get to that outcome.”
In 2012, VIA Rail service was slashed along the Toronto-Windsor-Sarnia route.
The region has heard political promises to improve rail service before, but seen few results.
Two years ago, plans for a high-speed rail line between Windsor and Toronto were abandoned by the provincial government.
The federal transport minister pushed back on suggestions that the new commitment to improve passenger rail is just a political promise as rumours swirl about a possible fall election.
“This is not talking, this is governing in action,” he said. “I look forward to completing this phase and moving to the next phase as quickly as possible.”
The Toronto-Windsor-Sarnia corridor is VIA Rail’s second busiest route in the country.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.