Long distance train fleet, Vancouver Island Railway should be federal budget priorities for 2023

Transport Action Canada has submitted the following recommendations for sustainable public transportation priorities in Canada’s 2023 federal budget to the Ministry of Finance.

Recommendation 1: Provide VIA Rail Canada with $1.5bn capital funding to completely renew Canada’s long-distance train fleet, including providing barrier-free accessible cabins on all overnight trains.

Recommendation 2: Provide funding for track repairs to restore the Vancouver Island Railway to operable condition for regional passenger service and freight service to local industry.

Recommendation 3: Extend zero-rating for GST to all train and motorcoach fares so that rural and northern residents have the same tax treatment for public transport as residents in urban centres.

Recommendation 4: Create a Strategic Rail Infrastructure Fund under the Investing in Canada program and in conjunction with the Canada Infrastructure Bank with an allocation of $5 billion annually.

Recommendation 5: Provide VIA Rail Canada with stable operating funding of $400 million annually for five years.

Recommendation 6: Reinstate remote passenger rail service funding in the Algoma region of $2.2 million annually to implement the Mask-wa Oo-ta-ban initiative led by the Missanabie Cree First Nation.

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