Passenger rail cars return to Canadian manufacturing
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On September 3, 2026, the federal government announced the largest investment in VIA Rail's history: more than $4.7 billion for 313 new passenger rail cars, which will be manufactured and assembled in Canada. For the first time in roughly 40 years, VIA Rail passenger cars will again be built in Canada.
The manufacturing will take place in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and La Pocatière, Quebec, with Canadian design and engineering work in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec. The project is expected to support nearly 700 Canadian jobs and generate more than $1.6 billion in economic benefits.
Importantly for the truelycanada.ca theme, the project falls under the federal Buy Canadian Policy. Alstom is expected to use and expand its network of more than 900 Canadian suppliers, while maximizing Canadian steel in parts of the new trains.
The announcement specifically contrasts the new approach with VIA's existing fleet, much of which was manufactured in the United States. The government's stated objective is to build more of Canada's critical infrastructure domestically, support Canadian workers and suppliers, and reduce dependence on any single foreign trading partner.