LOCATION: TRAN
ISSUE/SOURCE: High Frequency Rail
DATE: February 17, 2022
SUGGESTED RESPONSES
- High Frequency Rail would fundamentally transform passenger rail service in Canada through the creation of a modern, resilient, and sustainable rail service on dedicated tracks between the cities of Québec City, Trois-Rivières, Montréal, Ottawa, Peterborough and Toronto.
- Transport Canada continues to work collaboratively with VIA Rail, the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and other federal departments to move the High Frequency Rail project forward. In particular, my December 2021 Mandate letter prioritized launching a procurement process to select a private partner to co-develop the project in collaboration with the Project Delivery Office and Government of Canada. [Note: at the time of writing, the launch of the procurement process (Request for Expression of Interest) is scheduled for Feb 17, the same day of TRAN. Depending on the timing, the launch may have already occurred and this language will have to be nuanced by the Minister to provide the latest status.]
- The Government of Canada is excited to leverage the world-class knowledge and expertise of private sector companies that have experience implementing complex infrastructure projects, within North America and internationally, while building on VIA Rail’s extensive experience in providing national passenger rail services across Canada.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- After years of extensive analysis and due diligence, the Government of Canada is ready to move forward to the next phase of the High Frequency Rail (HFR) project – the procurement phase. This phase will include: (1) launching the procurement process to select a private partner that will co-develop and optimize the HFR project in collaboration with the Project Delivery Office and Government of Canada; (2) establishing a VIA Rail subsidiary to act as the Project Delivery Office and a strong public sector counterparty to the private partner; and (3) advancing key project activities, such as the Impact Assessment process, further public engagement and Indigenous consultations, negotiations with host railways, and assessing updates to the rail safety regime. [ Redacted ]
- It is expected that the first step in the procurement process for the HFR project will be taken on February 17, 2022 with the release of a Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI). The RFEOI details the Government of Canada’s plans for continuing to advance HFR, shares its vision and strategy for the project, and explains how it intends to work collaboratively with the private sector and communities as the project moves ahead. It also seeks feedback from experienced private sector companies to help shape the HFR project, including the forthcoming procurement and project development processes. Information collected through the RFEOI will be used to inform the subsequent phases stages of procurement for the project, such as the development of the Request for Qualifications, which will narrow down potential private sector partners prior to the Request for Proposal process. [Note: at the time of writing, the launch is planned for February 17, pending finalization of key decision points related to the PDO, this timeline may be delayed.]