Trackside_Treasure
Active Member
The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN) issued its list of recommendations to Government in its Seventh Report to the 45th Parliament, presented to the House on November 26, 2025, entitled Putting Passengers First: Improving VIA Rail's Emergency Response Effectiveness. As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study, based on witness testimony, are listed below.
The link to the full report is here: https://www.ourcommons.ca/documentviewer/en/45-1/TRAN/report-7
And a post on the VIA train 622 incident of August 31, 2024 and witness testimony here: https://tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-sad-saga-of-via-train-622.html
Recommendation 1
The committee condemns VIA Rail’s failure to take care of its passengers once again after numerous incidents, including in December 2022 when VIA Rail passengers were stranded on trains 55 and 69 near Cobourg for over 12 hours with limited communication, food, and water. The committee recommends:
That VIA Rail present a formal plan to address its failures that led to these incidents within 60 days of this report being tabled.
Recommendation 2
That the Government of Canada continue to monitor VIA Rail’s response to the incident aboard train 622 on 31 August 2024, in accordance with any recommendations made in either the independent reports commissioned by the Crown corporation or through Transport Canada’s own analysis.
Recommendation 3
That the Government of Canada work with VIA Rail to evaluate whether its maintenance program and procedures must be updated and improved.
Recommendation 4
That VIA Rail front-line employees be given the necessary latitude to take unilateral and rapid action in crisis to better manage emergencies and ensure the safety and well-being of passengers and staff without requiring the approval of the infrastructure owner.
Recommendation 5
That the Government of Canada request that VIA Rail review and update its emergency management plans and procedures. This process should be undertaken in close collaboration with representatives of the workers concerned and aim to optimize practices during major incidents, as well as to develop and regularly update its emergency plans and incident management procedures.
Recommendation 6
That the Government of Canada request that VIA Rail implement new or updated procedures and training for staff to better equip and support them in case of emergencies, including by strengthening training in managing difficult behaviour by taking into account the real-life experiences of front-line employees, while providing appropriate access to mental health support resources, and all other relevant support to employees.
Recommendation 7
That the Government of Canada work with VIA Rail to ensure more timely and accurate communications with Transport Canada officials when incidents occur.
Recommendation 8
That VIA Rail strengthen communication between management, front-line staff, and passengers by establishing clear and secure channels that facilitate the exchange of information in real time. This will ensure better coordination and proactive management of critical situations, while guaranteeing the safety of all passengers on board.
Recommendation 9
That the Government of Canada request VIA Rail provide a robust plan to ensure passengers will be provided basic care, such as food and water, access to toilets, and other services in similar emergency situations; and that VIA Rail establish and maintain minimum food and water reserves for at least 12 hours.
The link to the full report is here: https://www.ourcommons.ca/documentviewer/en/45-1/TRAN/report-7
And a post on the VIA train 622 incident of August 31, 2024 and witness testimony here: https://tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-sad-saga-of-via-train-622.html
Recommendation 1
The committee condemns VIA Rail’s failure to take care of its passengers once again after numerous incidents, including in December 2022 when VIA Rail passengers were stranded on trains 55 and 69 near Cobourg for over 12 hours with limited communication, food, and water. The committee recommends:
That VIA Rail present a formal plan to address its failures that led to these incidents within 60 days of this report being tabled.
Recommendation 2
That the Government of Canada continue to monitor VIA Rail’s response to the incident aboard train 622 on 31 August 2024, in accordance with any recommendations made in either the independent reports commissioned by the Crown corporation or through Transport Canada’s own analysis.
Recommendation 3
That the Government of Canada work with VIA Rail to evaluate whether its maintenance program and procedures must be updated and improved.
Recommendation 4
That VIA Rail front-line employees be given the necessary latitude to take unilateral and rapid action in crisis to better manage emergencies and ensure the safety and well-being of passengers and staff without requiring the approval of the infrastructure owner.
Recommendation 5
That the Government of Canada request that VIA Rail review and update its emergency management plans and procedures. This process should be undertaken in close collaboration with representatives of the workers concerned and aim to optimize practices during major incidents, as well as to develop and regularly update its emergency plans and incident management procedures.
Recommendation 6
That the Government of Canada request that VIA Rail implement new or updated procedures and training for staff to better equip and support them in case of emergencies, including by strengthening training in managing difficult behaviour by taking into account the real-life experiences of front-line employees, while providing appropriate access to mental health support resources, and all other relevant support to employees.
Recommendation 7
That the Government of Canada work with VIA Rail to ensure more timely and accurate communications with Transport Canada officials when incidents occur.
Recommendation 8
That VIA Rail strengthen communication between management, front-line staff, and passengers by establishing clear and secure channels that facilitate the exchange of information in real time. This will ensure better coordination and proactive management of critical situations, while guaranteeing the safety of all passengers on board.
Recommendation 9
That the Government of Canada request VIA Rail provide a robust plan to ensure passengers will be provided basic care, such as food and water, access to toilets, and other services in similar emergency situations; and that VIA Rail establish and maintain minimum food and water reserves for at least 12 hours.