CANADIAN prime minister Mr Justin Trudeau announced on June 15 that the federal government will contribute $C 1.28bn ($US 960m) towards the $C 6.04bn cost of constructing Montreal’s Metropolitan Electric Network (REM).

THE premier of Ontario Ms Kathleen Wynne announced on May 19 that the province will move forward with plans to build Canada’s first high-speed line after a report by Mr David Collenette, Ontario’s special advisor on high-speed rail, concluded the project has a positive business case.

IRJ at UITP Global Summit 2017: CDPQ Infra's ambitious plans to develop Metropolitan Electric Network (REM), a new 67km double-track automated light metro in Montreal, remain on schedule in spite of some alterations to the project which have increased overall costs to $C 6.04bn ($US 4.4bn).

VIA Rail Canada recorded a 4.1% increase in ridership to 3.97 million journeys in 2016 and 1.37 billion passenger-km, while revenue jumped by 9.5% from $C 297.8m ($US 218.75m) in 2015 to $C 324.3m in 2016.

THE long-running dispute between Metrolinx and Bombardier over the late delivery of LRVs for new light rail lines in the Toronto area took another turn on May 12, when Ontario provincial minister for transportation Mr Steve Del Duca announced the agency has placed a $C 529m ($US 386m) order with Alstom to for 61 low-floor LRVs.

THE City of Calgary Administration announced its recommendations for the first phase of the light rail Green Line on May 11, setting out project scope and construction timescales for one of Canada’s largest transit projects.

THE premier of Quebec Mr Philippe Couillard announced on May 5 that the province will allocate $C 100m ($US 73m) towards the rehabilitation of the Matapédia - Gaspé line.

CRRC Corporation announced on May 5 that it is planning to build a plant in eastern Canada to manufacture freight wagons and components as it seeks to expand its presence in the North American rolling stock market.

CANADIAN Pacific Railway (CP) and K+S Potash Canada (KSPC) officially opened the Bethune (Legacy) Project potash mine and rail connection in Saskatchewan on May 2.