Location: Canada
Issue/Source: Minister’s expected appearance before TRAN to discuss funding allocated to VIA Rail Canada Inc. in the 2022-2023 Supplementary Estimates (C).
Date: February 24, 2023
Suggested Responses
- VIA Rail Canada Inc. (VIA Rail) is seeking access to an additional $5,177,062 in planned spending authorities through Supplementary Estimates (C).
- This funding is being provided in support of the Crown Corporation’s remediation activities, as part of the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan.
If Pressed
- VIA Rail will use the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan funds to support remediation efforts at its Toronto and Montreal maintenance centers.
Background Information
- The Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) was established in 2005 as a 15-year program with funding of $4.54 billion from the Government of Canada. The program was renewed for another 15 years (2020 to 2034) with $1.16 billion announced in Budget 2019 for the first five years (Phase IV, 2020 to 2024).
- The objective of FCSAP is to reduce environmental and human health risks from known federal contaminated sites and associated federal financial liabilities, while focusing on the highest priority sites.
- Since its creation in 2005, FCSAP has demonstrated the Government of Canada's long-term commitment to manage federal contaminated sites and the following results were achieved:
- assessment activities were conducted at 10,960 sites;
- 7,700 site assessments were completed;
- remediation activities took place at 2,200 sites across Canada;
- remediation was completed at 1,040 sites; and,
- care and maintenance work was undertaken at some sites to maintain necessary systems and prevent an increase in reclamation and closure costs.
- VIA Rail will use the FCSAP funds allocated to the Crown corporation exclusively for remediation work at its Toronto and Montreal maintenance centers.