Minister of Transport High Frequency Rail announcement leaves workers behind, says Unifor
by CM staff
Unifor emphasizes the importance of preserving VIA Rail's public ownership throughout any future passenger rail expansion plans.
Via Rail train travelling from Ottawa to Toronto (CNW Group/Unifor)
MONTREAL — Transport Canada announced the conclusion of the Request for Qualification (RFQ) phase for the High Frequency Project.
“The federal government continues to ignore the voice of workers throughout this process,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “It’s ironic that the Minister selects two foreign state-owned railway companies from Germany and Spain to advance to the final phase of the RFQ process, despite previously claiming that government-owned passenger rail is not a viable solution. Unifor has expressed concerns with the government’s insistence on privatization throughout the process, in spite of their failure to properly and publicly consult with workers.”
Three companies, Cadence, Intercity Rail Developers, and QConnexiON Rail Partners, have been invited to proceed to the Request for Proposals (RFP) phase. During the RFP stage, these groups will present their proposals, outlining technically and commercially viable solutions, business plans, and management strategies for co-developing, constructing, and operating the project.
The recent announcement marks the beginning of the Request for Proposals stage, indicating that the High Frequency Rail (HFR) project remains undefined, with any potential benefits unlikely to materialize for at least 10 years.
“The Canadian public’s significant contributions, exceeding $1.5 billion, towards VIA Rail corridor improvements cannot be overlooked. Ignoring workers and entering into a privatization deals is reckless and demands a change of course,” said Payne.
Unifor emphasizes the importance of preserving VIA Rail’s public ownership throughout any future passenger rail expansion plans. Unifor said that public-private partnership (P3) agreements have historically harmed Canadians, cost more, and result in lower service levels to the public.
Unifor is calling upon the Minister of Transport to engage with workers and collaboratively develop a path forward that prioritizes all Canadians and ensures their interests are not left behind.
