Toronto VIA Rail maintenance centre modernized with $310 million federal investment, ribbon-cutting set for November 2

VIA Rail will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony and guided tour of its modernized Toronto Maintenance Centre on Monday, November 2. According to a media advisory issued by the company on 30 October, the project was supported by a $310 million investment from the Government of Canada and marks another milestone in VIA Rail's transformation of passenger rail.

What the new facilities bring

The new facilities bring together advanced technology, specialized equipment and modern infrastructure to support more efficient maintenance and improved performance of the new Corridor fleet. The project supported up to 475 jobs in skilled trades and construction, while the centre will sustain nearly 240 jobs over its lifecycle.

Ceremony and tour details

The ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. ET on November 2 at the VIA Rail Toronto Maintenance Centre, 50 Drummond Street, Toronto. Remarks are scheduled from John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour); James Maloney, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore; and Graham Blackwell, Vice-President, Mechanical Operations and Asset Management, VIA Rail. Following the ceremony, Blackwell and Vladimir Jean-Pierre, VIA Rail's Director of Mechanical Maintenance, will lead a tour of the new facilities, including the adjacent wheel-truing facility and the train simulator. The advisory notes this is a media event: media representatives must confirm attendance in advance and arrive at 9:15 a.m. for a safety briefing.