Minister Fletcher Announces Completion of Winnipeg’s Union Station Upgrades

Winnipeg, MB -- Today, the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport) announced the completion of upgrades by VIA Rail Canada to Winnipeg’s Union Station. He was joined by VIA Chairman Paul G. Smith; VIA President Marc Laliberté; Winnipeg Deputy Mayor Justin Swandel; and BOMA Manitoba President Tom Skraba.

“These impressive upgrades to Winnipeg’s historic station are a shining example of the positive results to emerge from Canada’s Economic Action Plan,” said Minister Fletcher. “Our Government is proud to invest in projects like this that not only improve passenger rail service but create jobs right here in Winnipeg.”

Union Station’s renovations included major repairs to the station roof and train shed, including upgrades to make the over 100 year old station more energy efficient, while carefully maintaining the distinctive features of the heritage building’s Beaux-Arts design. As a result of these upgrades, Union Station was awarded the BESt level 2 certification for energy efficiency by the Building Owners and Managers Association of Manitoba (BOMA). Funding for this $3 million project came from the Government of Canada’s $923 million investment in VIA Rail for improvements to its facilities, equipment and infrastructure. This includes $407 million through Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

”Hundreds of thousands of people have travelled and still travel through Union Station today – on business, connecting with family, tourists getting their first glimpse of the West – people whose lives and memories have been touched by this landmark in downtown Winnipeg,” said Chairman Paul Smith.“As this centennial year begins, we are not just celebrating the history of a station, but the role that rail has played in this community – and will continue to play in the future.“

For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca. To learn more about VIA Rail please visit www.viarail.ca.

Follow VIA on Twitter at twitter.com/via_rail. Check out VIA on Facebook at facebook.com/viarailcanada.


To see the full version of the speech made by Paul Smith, please click:
/sites/all/files/media/pdfs/About_VIA/our-company/media-room/speeches/2011/SP20110916E_Chairman.pdf

To access biographical notes and Mr. Smith’s photo, please click: /en/about-via-rail/our-company/management-team/chairman-board

To see the full version of the speech made by Marc Laliberté, please click:
/sites/all/files/media/pdfs/About_VIA/our-company/media-room/speeches/2011/SP20110916E_President.pdf

To access biographical notes and Mr. Laliberté’s photo, please click: /en/about-via-rail/our-company/management-team/president-and-chief-executive-officer