New president named for VIA Rail Canada

Written by jrood

Canada's Transport Minister John Baird and the Honorable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State said Marc Laliberté, of Boucherville, Québec, has been appointed president and chief executive officer of VIA Rail Canada Inc. for a term of four years, effective January 4, 2010.  

Laliberté holds a
bachelor of science in engineering physics from Université Laval in Québec.
Following four years as an engineer with Hydro-Québec, as well as Gulf Canada
Ltd., Mr. Laliberté began his rail career in 1980 with Canadian National, where
he held increasingly senior roles ranging from mechanical engineer to director
of intermodal operations. In 1994, Laliberté was appointed president and CEO of
AMF Technotransport Inc., a fully-owned subsidiary of CN specializing in the
renovation and repair of railway equipment. Promoted in 1996 to general manager
of CN’s Eastern Canada Champlain district, he implemented cost reductions while
significantly improving train punctuality and safety. In 1999, he joined as
president and general manager, Vapor Rail Inc., a company specializing in the
development and marketing of door systems for passenger rail service. In 2003,
he became president and CEO of Québec Railway Corporation, which had the
distinction of being both the largest Canadian-owned shortline railway and the
largest shortline railway company operating in Eastern Canada.

Laliberté succeeds
current president and CEO Paul Côté, who is retiring after a successful 32-year
career at VIA that includes a five-year term as CEO. VIA Rail Canada Inc., a
Crown corporation, was created in 1977 and operates Canada’s national passenger
rail service.

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