NATIONAL STORIES
Thunder Bay Alstom Plant to Build 313 New Via Rail Cars in $4.7B Federal Deal
Ottawa announces a $4.7B contract for 313 new Via Rail cars built at Thunder Bay’s Alstom plant, creating 700 jobs to replace 77-year-old equipment.

$4.7 Billion Contract Brings 700 Jobs to Thunder Bay
A major manufacturing deal will bring 700 new jobs to Thunder Bay as the federal government spends $4.7 billion to construct 313 new passenger rail cars for Via Rail. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the domestic manufacturing contract on Thursday during a visit to the local Alstom facility where the assembly work will take place.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the current passenger cars operating on long-distance and remote routes average 77 years of age. Carney noted that these legacy cars are overdue for replacement, emphasizing that the manufacturing and maintenance will be handled inside Canada for the first time in 40 years rather than in the United States.
Fleet Details and Recent Investments
The contract covers nine distinct equipment types to revamp the fleet. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon identified the agreement as the largest single investment in the history of Via Rail, explaining that the project will rely on domestic supply chains and local workers.
The procurement includes 78 sleepers, 58 coaches, 38 panorama cars, 29 baggage cars, 26 accessible sleepers, 25 dome cars, 20 dining cars, 20 prestige sleepers, and 19 berth cars. This follows a separate $1.6 billion initiative announced in July to buy 45 new locomotives from Swiss firm Stadler, alongside a $357 million investment for a new assembly and maintenance facility. While Stadler is manufacturing much of that fleet in Valencia, Spain, 36 of those 45 locomotives are slated for final completion in Canada.
Opposition Concerns and Performance Metrics
The new investments follow reports from Canada’s auditor general showing Via Rail’s on-time performance sank to 30 per cent during the first quarter of 2025. Conservative transport critic Dan Albas pushed for strict contract safeguards to keep the construction on schedule and within budget, arguing that new rolling stock alone will not fix underlying reliability issues. Albas also urged the government to end executive bonus payments at the passenger rail company.
Community Tour
Following the plant event, Carney spent time in the community. He met with musician Bryan Adams—who was in town for performances on Wednesday and Thursday—visiting a local bakery and the Terry Fox National Historic Monument before touring the Thunder Bay Fire Management facility.
NATIONAL STORIES
Search Continues After Ontario-Based Medical Flight Vanishes Near Massachusetts Coast
U.S. Coast Guard crews are searching near Nantucket for a missing Latitude Air Ambulance jet carrying four Canadians and two passengers from Bermuda.
Emergency Search Underway Off Nantucket
Air and ground search teams are scanning waters approximately 150 kilometres southeast of Boston after a medical transport aircraft vanished early Saturday morning. Contact with the Gulfstream G100 jet was lost around 1:30 a.m. as it made its approach toward Boston from Bermuda, prompting a response from the U.S. Coast Guard following notification by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Flight Carrying Crew and Patients
The aircraft is operated by Hamilton-based Latitude Air Ambulance. According to Clarence Togeretz, operations manager for the company, six individuals were aboard the flight. The crew consists of two Canadian pilots and two Canadian medical staff members. They were transporting two Bermuda nationals, identified as a patient and a family member.
Response and Ongoing Inquiries
Togeretz confirmed that the company contacted American authorities after the plane failed to land on the tarmac as scheduled. He noted that this marks the first instance where the operator has lost contact with one of its aircraft, adding that the team is holding onto optimism while praying for a safe resolution. Latitude Air Ambulance has reached out to Transport Canada regarding the incident. Meanwhile, provincial air ambulance provider Ornge expressed support via social media, stating it hopes the aircraft and everyone on board are located safely and quickly.
NATIONAL STORIES
Why Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre Questions Mark Carney’s New Pipeline Stance
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticizes Mark Carney’s pipeline proposal, calling him an illusion and questioning his shift on oil and gas.
Poilievre Dismisses Carney’s Fast-Track Pipeline Proposal
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has expressed strong skepticism regarding Mark Carney, describing him as an “illusion” ahead of an upcoming major announcement. Poilievre questioned Carney’s recent backing of a proposal to fast-track and construct a West Coast pipeline project.
Contrasting Past Record with Recent Statements
Poilievre highlighted Carney’s history over the past decade, pointing out that the former banker worked to defund oil and gas, established an alliance aimed at shutting down the sector, opposed a Pacific pipeline, and advocated for higher carbon taxes.
“I don’t know how you can go in three years from believing oil and gas is going to end the world to believing you support oil and gas,” Poilievre stated. “I guess miracles are possible. He claims to have changed his mind but he hasn’t really changed the results. There’s been a lot of talk.”
Comparisons to Foreign Project Delivery
In assessing the situation, the Conservative leader observed that large-scale infrastructure projects are completed rapidly in nations like Germany and the United States.
NATIONAL STORIES
Michael J. Fox Earns Canada’s Highest Civilian Distinction for Parkinson’s Work
Michael J. Fox was elevated to companion of the Order of Canada alongside 50 other honourees, including UBC engineering professor Yusuf Altintas.
National Honours Presented at Rideau Hall
During an investiture ceremony on Friday morning at Rideau Hall, Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour formally elevated celebrated actor and advocate Michael J. Fox to the companion level of the Order of Canada, drawing a standing ovation from attendees. Rideau Hall cited his unflinching honesty and powerful global advocacy concerning Parkinson’s disease for the elevation. Fox, who publicly disclosed his diagnosis in 1998, has helped generate $2.5 billion for research into the progressive nervous system disorder, which causes tremors, slowness, stiffness, memory difficulties, and depression.
Distinguished Inductees Recognized Across Fields
A total of 51 individuals joined or advanced within the Order of Canada during the Friday event. Arbour praised the group in French for directing their skills, influence, and effort toward the public good rather than personal gain alone, noting that Fox serves as a shining example of using courage, imagination, and determination to foster lasting progress.
The newly honoured members and officers include noteworthy figures across various disciplines. University of British Columbia mechanical engineering professor Yusuf Altintas was inducted as an officer alongside McGill University professor Nada Jabado, who was recognized for her contributions to pediatric neuro-oncology. Former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz became an officer for his efforts supporting international trade and economic stability. Sculptor Ruth Elsie Abernethy entered as a member for her worldwide bronze statues exploring heritage, gender, and nation-building, while Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Susanne Craig was named a member for her impactful reporting across major American and Canadian news outlets.
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