Restore Gaspé passenger rail
Petitioners ask VIA Rail to restore passenger service Matapédia–Port‑Daniel–Gascons and to reinstate service to Gaspé. The government responds that VIA Rail will resume service only once track work, inspections, a Quebec agreement, and staffing are complete.
Why we would sign this petition
- Restores regional links and can address the petitioners' cited economic, social and access harms by returning passenger rail service to the area.
- Promotes lower‑carbon travel by offering an alternative to car trips, supporting the petition’s point about reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Builds on Quebec's rehabilitation to Matapédia–Port‑Daniel–Gascons, allowing earlier resumption of service on that segment.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Resumption depends on track rehabilitation, inspections, a service agreement with Quebec, and staffing and station readiness, so timelines and costs may be uncertain.
- Tracks and some stations are provincially owned, so urging VIA Rail may not overcome jurisdictional or funding constraints noted in the government's response.
- Restoring full service could be costly and slow; alternative investments or phased approaches might better balance benefits and taxpayer resources.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Government du Canada The Gaspé Peninsula has been without passenger rail service for over twelve years, since VIA Rail’s withdrawal due to the poor condition of the railway tracks and bridges; This withdrawal has caused serious economic, environmental, social, health and public safety harm to the region; By promoting public transportation over car use, trains would support the Government of Canada’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; The rehabilitation work carried out by the Government of Quebec up to Port-Daniel–Gascons now allows for the safe operation of passenger trains between Matapédia and Port-Daniel–Gascons; VIA Rail is largely funded by the federal government; and VIA Rail’s mission is to provide regional rail service across the country. We, the undersigned citizens of Quebec, call upon the Government of Canada to urge VIA Rail to commit to: immediately restoring passenger rail service between Matapédia and Port-Daniel-Gascons; and gradually restoring passenger rail service to Gaspé as soon as possible.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Signed by Mike Kelloway We recognize the concerns regarding the reduced service and the suspension of the route between Montreal and Gaspé. This route was suspended due to the condition of rail infrastructure owned by the Government of Quebec. VIA Rail is committed to restoring service to Gaspé once the infrastructure has been appropriately rehabilitated to ensure the safety of passengers. VIA Rail is considering a partial resumption of service; however several conditions must still be met to ensure a safe and viable return. This includes inspecting the railway infrastructure; negotiating and finalizing a service agreement with the Government of Quebec; hiring and training staff; and confirming that stations and platforms, which are not owned by VIA Rail, will be refurbished as required and ready to safely welcome passengers. The Government of Quebec’s commitment to resume and complete the rehabilitation of the section between Port Daniel Gascons and Gaspé is essential in any effort to restore service in the Gaspé region. It must be understood, however, that any resumption of service, even on a partial basis, must consider the necessary steps that need to be completed. VIA Rail is committed to continuing dialogue with local communities to find a sustainable solution for the region and for Canadian taxpayers.