Via Rail cancels most trains across Canada amid ongoing protests

Picture of Toronto Union Station, with its Via Rail departures board, on the main hall. Union Station is a major railway station and intermodal transportation hub in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located in downtown Toronto.

Canada’s train system is suffering as a result of ongoing anti-pipeline blockades by protesters.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the press his government is committed to finding a peaceful solution to First Nations-led protests that have shut down much of the country’s train system, disrupting just shy of 100,000 train passengers.

Members of the Wetʼsuwetʼen and Mohawk first nations are opposing a proposed natural-gas pipeline that would cross both of their territories in British Columbia. According to national news agency The Canadian Press, these protests have manifested as blockades on different rail lines across the country.

The protests have taken a heavy toll on two of the country’s main passenger train providers: Via Rail and the public, transcontinental Canadian National Railway company.

VIA Rail operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking more than 400 communities across Canada, and about 180 more communities through intermodal partnerships. It transported over 5 million passengers in 2019.

As of Sunday, 409 of the rail company’s trains had been cancelled due to the blockades, with the company forced to cancel most of its services until further notice.

More than 83,000 passengers have also been affected, all of who are entitled to refunds, the company said.

Union Station, Toronto, Canada: VIA Rail employs more than 3,000 employees (iStock/jimfeng)

In a statement addressed to affected passengers, Via Rail’s chief executive and president Cynthia Gameau said the company is hoping for an end to the situation soon, but “it is not in our control”.

“Our focus is to continue to work with the infrastructure owner, CN [Canadian National Railway], on making sure normal service resumes and we welcome you back on board as quickly as possible once the situation is resolved.”

CN has meanwhile announced up to 1,000 temporary layoffs of staff, as protests have shuttered much of the railway’s eastern Canadian network, with trains that typically transport thousands of commuters and billions of dollars’ worth of freight idling in railyards and sidings across the country since the blockades began earlier this month, The Globe and Mail reported.

Trudeau, who said he had spoken to several premiers and Canadian Indigenous leaders, did not specify how he and his government plan to deal with the crisis, The Canadian Press reported.

“I understand how worrisome this is for so many Canadians and difficult for many people and families across the country,” Trudeau said outside the Prime Minister’s Office.

“We’re going to continue to focus on resolving the situation quickly and peacefully, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

The demonstrations were launched in response to now-concluded Royal Canadian Mounted Police raids in British Columbia against camps built to block construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline, which runs in several parts through non-ceded native territories, CBC reported.

Protesters putting their personal safety at risk: CN

Earlier this week, rail infrastructure provider Canadian National Railway said it had sought and obtained court orders to end three new “illegal blockades” in Vancouver and Vaughan, Ontario.

The company said it had “deep concerns” regarding the safety of its employees, the public, and the protestors.

“In Vaughan, protesters put their personal safety at risk by climbing on and between railcars,” CN chief executive and president Jean-Jacques Ruest said.

“The protesters trespassed on active railway tracks and on active trains to hang their banners and take photos of themselves.

“Trespassing on railway property and tampering with railway equipment is not only illegal, but also exceedingly dangerous.”

According to multiple reports, blockades have not been placed directly on rail lines across the country, but are so close to them that safe rail passage by trains is not possible.

Featured image: Union Station, Toronto (iStock.com/BalkansCat)

Latest News

  • Famil

TravHost launches expert hosting service to transform industry famils

TravHost offers a pioneering service bridging the gap between media professionals, travel agents and tourism organisations, addressing the demand for exceptional famil hosts. Founded by seasoned travel media professionals Fiona Harper and Carolyne Jasinski, TravHost is poised to revolutionise the way tourism organisations and travel companies approach famils. With decades of experience in tourism and […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Travel Agents

Book big and bag a spot of the TTC Tour Brand’s Top Achievers’ Famil

TTC Tour Brands’ Top Achievers Famil incentive is back, rewarding top-selling agents with the chance to embark on an unforgettable trip to a destination that remains a secret – for now. Agents who have sold any Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Costsaver and Contiki, from 1 December 2024 to 14 March 2025, go into the […]

  • Business Travel
  • Conferences

New Zealand International Convention Centre to open in February 2026

The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has announced it is opening its doors to New Zealand and world conferences and events in February 2026. The long-awaited NZICC is set to transform New Zealand’s conference and events industry, boosting visitation and the wider economy with its world-class facilities. Located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, […]

  • Cruise
  • Events

AmaWaterways invites AU/NZ travel trade to An Evening with AmaWaterways events

AmaWaterways has announced the dates of its upcoming An Evening with AmaWaterways events for travel advisors, just over a year after it entered the Australian and New Zealand markets. Dedicated to travel advisors, the events will be held in six cities and will be hosted by AmaWaterways’ regional sales managers, plus feature a presentation from […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

Mooloolaba cruise season boosts Sunshine Coast tourism and trade

Mooloolaba is set to welcome a series of cruise ships through February and March 2025, significantly boosting local businesses and tourism to the Sunshine Coast. Their arrival is expected to create a vibrant atmosphere and provide a substantial economic uplift to the region. Viking Sky kicks off the season on Sunday 8 February, with 930 […]

  • Food & Beverage

Little Pete Brewing opens first of its kind open-air bar

Little Pete Brewing has opened a new open-air bar at 543 Step Rd, Langhorne Creek, a must-visit South Australia destination for a drink with a view. The first-of-its-kind open-air bar sits on 8ha, surrounded by vineyards and paddocks, with the Bremer River flowing nearby and framed by majestic ancient river red gums. “We always felt […]

  • Events

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025 with a one-of-a-kind activation that showcases their world-class event capabilities to inspire event planners and decision-makers. CENTREPIECE is located in the heart of Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Victoria’s epicentre for live sports and entertainment and home to world-renowned venues including Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park, […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

NYC Tourism + Conventions announces two exciting new events

NYC Tourism + Conventions has announced ‘NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025’ and ‘Value Family Activities’ events lined up for this year. NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025 2-for-1 ticket sales for this event have begun with this season’s program featuring 29 Off-Broadway performances, including 18 new participants. The twice-yearly program runs from 17 February through 9 March with […]

  • Events
  • Tourism

Jeju wins bid to host 2028 Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has successfully secured the 14th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC14) for Jeju in November 2028. This was achieved in partnership with the Korean Society of Microscopy, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Convention Bureau, and Jeju International Convention Center. Korea was selected as the final host after strong competition at the 13th […]

  • Cruise
  • Food & Beverage

Oceania Cruises sets new standard for onboard dining: one chef for every 10 guests

Oceania Cruises, renowned for The Finest Cuisine at Sea, has set a new standard for onboard dining with an exquisite new menu evolution in The Grand Dining Room. Launching on its newest 1,200-guest ship, Allura, in July 2025, the reimagined menus introduce over 270 brand-new recipes, from curated Signature Eggs Benedict breakfast selection to a chic French […]