VIA Rail cars to be made in Canada for 1st time in 40 years, Carney says

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Thursday that the government will invest $4.7 billion to construct and maintain 313 new VIA Rail passenger cars domestically in Canada for the first time in 40 years. The announcement was made at a factory in Thunder Bay, where Carney emphasized that it will be the first time since the 1970s that these trains will be "produced, assembled, and maintained in our country" rather than in the United States.

Carney highlighted the significance of this move amid ongoing trade tensions with the U.S., noting that the country is "being tested" as a result of the ongoing trade conflict. By producing these vehicles in Canada, the government aims to strengthen its economic resilience and promote domestic manufacturing. The new fleet will be assembled by Alstom and will directly support over 700 jobs in Ontario and Quebec.

Carney stressed that Canada possesses all the necessary resources to build the country it desires and expressed disappointment with the U.S.'s recent tariffs, which he believes to be a "miscalculation." He affirmed that Canadians will always support one another and emphasized the country's capability to overcome challenges.