In March 2022, the Government of Canada issued Orders in Council authorizing and directing VIA Rail Canada Inc. (VIA) to incorporate a wholly owned subsidiary with a mandate to develop and implement the High Frequency Rail (HFR) project including the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of passenger rail services in Ontario and Quebec through one or more agreements with the private sector, in cooperation with the Minister of Transport.
The HFR project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Canada’s history. With over 1,000 km of new passenger rail service planned between major city centres including Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City, HFR will help build a better future for Canadians with new trains using electrified technology running on mostly dedicated passenger tracks that will serve Canada’s growing population.
On November 29, 2022, VIA HFR – VIA TGF Inc. (VIA HFR) was incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act. There are currently four Directors appointed to the Board, including Mr. Rob Prichard (Chairperson), Ms. Marie-José Nadeau (Vice-Chairperson), Mr. Rob Fonberg, and. Ms. Fiona Blondin. The first four directors are focusing on the recruitment and selection of VIA HFR’s Chief Executive Officer (currently underway) and additional directors to complete the seven-person board.
VIA HFR operates at arms-length from VIA and will act as a dedicated project office for the HFR project. In the near term, the Government of Canada is leading a procurement process to select a private developer partner for the project. Once this partner is selected, VIA HFR will work with the partner to design and develop the new HFR project, in close coordination with VIA and Transport Canada.
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VIA HFR profile:
(Interim) Chief Executive Office: Marc-Olivier Ranger
Chairperson of the Board of Directors: Rob Prichard
Board of Directors: Up to seven directors (including chair and vice-chair)
Operating Budget 2023-24: $43.67M