via rail The officials are set to address a federal committee on Thursday about delays facing travelers during the holiday.
Earlier this month, the Crown corporation apologized for widespread delays between December 23 and December 26 as winter storms hit Ontario and Quebec.
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Railways said that a CN Rail Freight trains on its east–west corridor between Quebec City and Windsor, Ontario were further delayed.
Some passengers found themselves stuck in trains for more than 20 hours.
Via Rail apologized for not being more forthcoming with its customers about the situation and providing timely updates on the delay.
Its officials are appearing at the committee as opposition members of parliament argue it is time to extend the country’s air passenger safety rules to cover travel by train.
Transport Minister Omar Algabra appeared on the committee earlier this month and vowed to toughen the current rules, which critics argue lack teeth to hold companies accountable for compensating air travelers.
But in a statement provided to The Canadian Press, Alghabra’s office did not say whether the minister supports calls to expand the existing passenger protection regime to cover those traveling by rail.
“Via Rail’s position during the holiday season was unacceptable. It’s worth communicating with passengers, especially during the unprecedented weather conditions Canadians were experiencing,” spokeswoman Nadine Ramadan said in an email.
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“Safety of crew and passengers is always the topmost priority. All options are on the table to further strengthen passenger security.
Via Rail’s appearance follows earlier testimony by leaders of Air Canada, WestJet and Sunwing, who faced questions about hundreds of flights canceled or delayed during the holiday.
Sunwing Airlines came under special scrutiny after hundreds of passengers stranded in Mexico said they had received no response from the company about returning to Canada. They have all returned to Canada and the airline has apologised.
Sunwing faced criticism not long after it canceled all flights out of Saskatchewan until early February. It has also reduced winter flights from Moncton, NB, Fredericton and Halifax.
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