Let’s Get Canada Back on Track!
It is time for the federal government to strengthen the national passenger rail service in order to better provide safe, reliable and frequent transportation – right across the country – and support the creation of good, green, public and long-term jobs.
CAMPAIGN GOALS
OUR CAMPAIGN GOALS
1 SIGNING OF A VIA RAIL ACT
Our campaign supports the creation of a VIA Rail Act, establishing a mandate to maintain and improve service to the Canadian traveling public.
Today Via Rail operates without any legislated mandate. This inhibits its ability to operate independently of government and hampers any long-term corporate planning. Passing a VIA Rail Act would provide the necessary foundation to ensure that VIA is not impeded by political priorities and instead provides a minimum standard of national service, all while remaining accountable to the public.
Further, our campaign supports the establishment of stable, long-term funding that will be used to enhance operations and revitalize and modernize VIA’s equipment and infrastructure. Outdated equipment not only diminishes transportation efficiency, it also endangers safety and requires more costs to maintain.
2 KEEP PUBLIC OWNERSHIP
While the Transport Minister works towards the stated goal to privatize VIA Rail, the network is being neglected.
Our campaign believes that all federal passenger rail development in Canada should be publicly-owned and operated by VIA Rail, and that all plans for privatization be halted.
We need to expand the number of routes being serviced and increase frequency so that Canadians may once again view passenger rail as a viable, efficient and economical transportation option.
We oppose any attempts to privatize passenger rail routes or services. We have repeatedly seen how privatized transportation services end up costing more while service, transparency and public accountability is reduced.
VIA Rail must remain a public service that benefits passengers – not shareholders.
3 PASSENGER AND WORKER INPUT INTO CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Our campaign advocates for the creation of a seat on the VIA Rail Board of Directors for one worker and one passenger representative in order to provide for meaningful, democratic input from passengers and workers into the service provided to the Canadian traveling public.
4 SERVICE EXPANSION
Our campaign is committed to expanding a safe, reliable, fast and publicly owned railway that prioritizes the needs of passengers, workers, municipalities and indigenous groups over the profits of private companies.
Take Action
We encourage you to promote the campaign amongst your family and friends.
We won't be able to do this alone. We look forward to your continued solidarity and support.