The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce recently hosted an engaging event featuring Mario Péloquin, CEO of VIA Rail, who addressed an audience of business and community leaders, as well as government officials including Lisa Naylor, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, MLA Jeff Bereza, and Colleen Smook, Mayor of Thompson. Péloquinshowcased his VIAAction 2030 plan to encourage everyone to be a champion of passenger rail in Canada. Here are the highlights from the event:
Manitoba: A Canadian Rail Hub
Péloquin emphasized that Winnipeg is one of the busiest rail hubs in North America, underscoring its strategic importance in the rail network. Chris Erbus of Graham Construction shared that they are wrapping up an extensive restoration of Union Station, a historic site that stands as a testament to the city’s heritage as an important rail destination.
VIA Rail’s Line from Winnipeg to Churchill
Péloquin noted that the line is a key tourism connection, but its high demand sometimes limits options for residents to travel. He empathized with this challenge, considering his upbringing in a remote Quebec community. Chris Avery of Arctic Gateway Group highlighted VIA Rail’s role in connecting Northern communities and how the Hudson Bay rail line can help connect Western Canada to the rest of the world through the Port of Churchill.
Economic Impact of VIA Rail in Manitoba
Péloquin shared the significant impact VIA Rail has on Manitoba and its economy:
- 14,000 people take the train every year in Manitoba.
- VIA invests $74 million annually in Manitoba.
- $40 million of this goes to Manitoba suppliers.
- For every dollar invested, $1.80 is added to the economy.
VIAAction 2030 Strategic Plan
Péloquin introduced VIA Rail’s new strategic plan, VIAAction 2030, with ambitious goals to:
- Complete a fleet replacement, modernizing cars that average 77 years old. This is the largest project in VIA Rail’s 47-year history.
- Provide integrated mobility for door-to-door service.
- Introduce localized experiences such as musicians, food, and elders to enhance the travel experience.
To drive this vision, Péloquin overhauled VIA Rail’s executive team to focus on innovation. He also joked about building a high-speed rail line from Winnipeg to Churchill, much to the audience’s amusement.
VIA Rail’s Operational Challenges
Péloquin candidly discussed VIA Rail’s biggest challenge: not owning the rails they operate on. Freight trains take priority, leading to delays and an on-time rate of only 51%. He humorously noted, “We get people to their destination, eventually.” Despite these challenges, VIA Rail is committed to improving service in Manitoba and remains a key transportation partner for Manitobans.
This event was a testament to the vital role of rail in connecting communities and driving economic growth.
Thank You to Our Partners
Thank you to our event sponsors, Graham Construction & Enginering and First Rank SEO, as well as our series supporters 6P Marketing, CPHR Manitoba, Travel Manitoba, Manitoba Egg Farmers, and our exclusive media partner Winnipeg Free Press. We could not host these events without your support.
Join Us for the Next MBiz Breakfast!
Don’t miss our next MBiz Breakfast on October 30, featuring Paul Soubry, CEO of NFI Group Inc. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear from another leader in the transportation industry and network with fellow leaders and government officials.
