Air Canada on July 24th, 2024 announced that it has joined the Cadence team, which has submitted a response to the request for proposals for the High Frequency Rail project.
Their late entry into this process has raised concerns among the public. Air Canada is in direct competition to whoever operates the high-frequency rail line.
It is costly and inconvenient to fly. A frequent passenger rail service on dedicated track going over 225 kilometers per hour, would pose a threat to Air Canada's business.
Air Canada has a long and well documented history of protesting against any publically funded Canadian high-speed rail proposals.
In 1991 and 1996, Air Canada teamed up with C.P. Rail, to do Joint Studies of High Speed Rail Ridership & Revenues to try and prevent high-speed initiatives in Canada at the time.
In 2003, the Air Transport Association of Canada, an association Air Canada is part of, was against the government funding the high-speed JetTrain that was proposed for 2 locations in Canada.
In May 2009, Air Canada representatives made a presentation to the Canadian Federal Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities on High Speed Rail.
They spoke out against any public dollars being spent to build high-speed rail lines in Canada.
With such a well documented history of not supporting modern passenger rail in Canada, why is Air Canada now trying to be part of a consortium that might build it?
It is simple, Air Canada is in the business of making a profit and they must see being part of this Cadence consordium as a good business decision to get involved in building and operating modern passenger rail.
The question is, Is it good for Canadians that one company has a control of our airlines and passenger rail system? That short answer is no.
We are hopeful that government officials overseeing the Request for Proposals from the 3 consortiums will evaluate the dangers of accepting a proposal from the Cadence,Air Canada alliance.
Here is a link to our youtube on this subject.
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