Image description: Rail Transportation Network
The map of Canada shows the layout and extent of the Canadian rail system. This system currently has over 44,917 route-kilometres of track broken down into Canadian National track (48.8 per cent of the system, represented by blue lines), Canadian Pacific track (29.1 per cent, represented by red lines) and other railways track (22.2 per cent, represented by green lines).
Key traffic and volume statistics
Rail transportation plays a critical role in serving nearly every sector of the Canadian economy. With an extensive railway system, Canada efficiently moves freight to and from the U.S. and international markets through coastal ports, while also offering numerous passenger lines across the country.
Freight sector
In the freight rail sector, the focus is on transporting heavy, bulk commodities and container traffic over long distances. Canada is home to 2 major Class I freight railways, Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific (CP), which handle most freight rail traffic. Large U.S.-based carriers like the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company and CSX Transportation Inc. also operate in Canada, facilitating trade between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
Together, CN, CP, and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company link trade routes, with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company uniquely serving Canada’s Pacific Gateway, offering access to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority—the only port on the West Coast served by 3 Class I railroads.
As of 2022, Class I railway carriers in Canada had 2,121 locomotives, 46,807 freight cars (including hopper cars, boxcars, flatcars, and gondolas), and 393 passenger cars. Moreover, 79 companies hold a Railway Operating Certificate, comprising 26 federal railway companies and 53 local railway companies.
In addition to the Class I railways, federally or provincially regulated shortline railways play a vital role in connecting shippers with Class I railways and other shortlines and ports, facilitating the movement of products across longer distances.
Passenger sector
The passenger rail sector provides commuter, intercity and tourist transportation services. National rail passenger services are mostly provided by VIA Rail on behalf of the Government of Canada. VIA Rail is an independent Crown Corporation created in 1977 that operates Canada’s national passenger rail service from coast to coast. It mainly uses tracks owned by freight rail companies.
Most of its services are in central Canada along the Québec-Windsor Corridor. VIA Rail also operates long-haul passenger routes between Toronto-Vancouver and Montréal-Halifax, as well as regional services to destinations such as Jasper, Prince Rupert, Winnipeg, and Churchill. In addition to shortlines that move freight, some also provide passenger rail services or tourism services, like the Rocky Mountaineer Railway.