This morning's editorial in the Globe and Mail (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081020.werail20/BNStory/specialComment/home) suggests correctly that the Government ought to invest in improving Via Rail.
I wouldn't hold my breath if what I heard a few weeks ago from the chief of staff to the Minister of Transport, about the thinking among Government ministers is correct. They think it is a total waste of money and government should withdraw its support completely.
It was a completely chance encounter. Just before the election call, a man whom I had never met before was sitting across the aisle on a train from Montreal to Ottawa. I had no idea until later in the trip who he was. After complaining to me about VIARail's food service -- which was completely normal as far as I could tell -- he then launched into a long rant against how much money government "wastes" on ViaRail and asked me loudly didn't I agree? I did not, referring politely, without wanting to get into a substantive discussion across the aisle, to the sorts of good arguments in today's editorial that call for more government investment and better rules for freight, and so forth. He seemed non plussed that I did not see what was totally obvious to him and angrily went on and on about what a waste of money Via was, informing me in the process that he was the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Transport, and implying clearly that this was not just his personal view. When I later asked him his name, he gave me his card, which sure enough said he was who he claimed to be. Anyway, if my experience is any indication, the Globe editorial will not find responsive ears in important places.
