September 4, 2026 – The City of Thunder Bay welcomes the Government of Canada’s announcement of a $4.7-billion investment in VIA Rail’s fleet renewal program and congratulates Alstom and its Thunder Bay workforce on this significant milestone.

The announcement represents a major investment in Canadian rail manufacturing and reinforces Thunder Bay’s long-standing role as a centre of excellence for passenger rail production.

“Thunder Bay has a proud history of building rail vehicles that connect communities across Canada, and yesterday’s announcement is welcome news for our city,” said Mayor Ken Boshcoff.  “We congratulate Alstom and the skilled workers at the Thunder Bay plant whose expertise and dedication have made our community a leader in rail manufacturing.

“This investment supports good-paying jobs, strengthens our local economy, and helps secure a strong future for Canadian manufacturing. It also reflects the vision of the City's Smart Growth Action Plan by supporting the retention of skilled jobs and continued investment in our community.”

The City recognizes the efforts of all partners and advocates who worked to highlight the importance of maintaining rail manufacturing capacity in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.

Supporting and growing advanced manufacturing remains an important component of the City’s Smart Growth Action Plan. Investments that sustain skilled jobs, strengthen local supply chains, and enhance Thunder Bay’s competitiveness contribute to the community’s long-term economic growth and prosperity goals.

The investment is expected to support employment, local suppliers, and economic activity throughout the region while helping strengthen Canada’s domestic transportation manufacturing sector.

 

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Contact:  Michelle Williams, Manager – Communications & Public Relations, 807- 627-2446