OTTAWA — Via Rail executives are set to speak to a federal committee today about delays that plagued travelers over the holidays.
Earlier this month, the Crown corporation apologized for the widespread delays passengers experienced between Dec. 23 and 26 as a winter storm swept through Ontario and Quebec.
The railroad said the derailment of a CN freight train caused further delays to trains on its east-west corridor between Quebec City and Windsor, Ont.
Some passengers found themselves stranded on trains for more than 20 hours.
Via Rail apologized for not being more open with customers about the situation and providing timely updates on delays.
Its leaders appear before the committee as opposition MPs say it’s time to extend the country’s air passenger protection regulations to cover rail travel.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra appeared before the committee earlier this month and pledged to toughen existing rules, which critics say lack teeth in holding companies accountable for compensating air passengers.
But in a statement provided to The Canadian Press, Alghabra’s office did not say whether the minister supported calls to extend the existing passenger protection regime to cover those traveling by rail.
“The situation with Via Rail over the holiday season was unacceptable. Passengers deserve to be contacted, especially in the unprecedented weather conditions Canadians have experienced,” spokeswoman Nadine Ramadan said in an email.
“Crew and passenger safety is always a top priority. All options are on the table to further enhance passenger safety.”
Via Rail’s appearance follows earlier testimony from Air Canada, WestJet and Sunwing executives, who were asked about the hundreds of flights they canceled or delayed over the holidays.
Sunwing Airlines has come under particular scrutiny after hundreds of passengers were stranded in Mexico, saying they could not get an answer from the company about returning to Canada. They have all since returned to Canada, and the airline has issued an apology.
Sunwing came under fire soon after for canceling all flights out of Saskatchewan until early February. It also reduced winter flights from Moncton, New Brunswick, Fredericton and Halifax.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on January 26, 2023.
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