Appointment to VIA Rail Canada Inc.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 21, 2009) - Canada's Transport Minister John Baird and the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport), today announced the appointment of Mr. Marc Laliberté, of Boucherville, Québec, as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of VIA Rail Canada Inc. for a term of four years, effective January 4, 2010.

"I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Laliberté to the position of president and CEO," said Baird. "VIA Rail provides a vital service to link our communities and I am confident that Mr. Laliberté's extensive experience in rail and business will be a great asset to the corporation."

"I am delighted that Mr. Laliberté has agreed to assume the leadership of VIA Rail Canada Inc.," said Minister Merrifield. "His extensive experience as a senior executive will prove invaluable to the corporation."

Mr. Laliberté holds a bachelor of science in engineering physics from Université Laval in Québec. Following four years as an engineer with Hydro-Québec, as well as Gulf Canada Ltd., Mr. Laliberté began his rail career in 1980 with Canadian National Railway Company (CN), where he held increasingly senior roles ranging from mechanical engineer to director of intermodal operations. In 1994, Mr. Laliberté was appointed president and CEO of AMF Technotransport Inc., a fully owned subsidiary of CN specializing in the renovation and repair of railway equipment. Promoted in 1996 to general manager of CN's Eastern Canada Champlain district, Mr. Laliberté implemented cost reductions while significantly improving train punctuality and safety. In 1999, he joined as president and general manager, Vapor Rail Inc., a company specializing in the development and marketing of door systems for passenger rail service. In 2003, he became president and CEO of Québec Railway Corporation, which had the distinction of being both the largest Canadian-owned shortline railway and the largest shortline railway company operating in Eastern Canada.

Mr. Laliberté succeeds current president and CEO Mr. Paul Côté, who is retiring after a successful 32-year career at VIA that includes a five-year term as CEO. VIA Rail Canada Inc., a Crown corporation, was created in 1977 and operates Canada's national passenger rail service.

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