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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.