Marc Laliberté, VIA Rail's President and CEO, spoke on the issues and challenges confronting the passenger rail industry in a speech made in Quebec City to the members of the Ordre des comptables agréés (chartered accountants) du Québec. Laliberté took the opportunity to explain to the 350 convention attendees the context in which VIA operates at the beginning of this 21st century. In particular, he described the strategies his team has implemented to manage VIA's growth, despite the difficulties caused by the economic situation since the end of 2008. He stated that. "VIA must continue to adapt and evolve if it wishes to pursue its growth and remain relevant in the coming years."

After a brief presentation of VIA Rail and its three-pronged mission, i.e., to serve large urban centers, contribute to the tourism industry and serve certain remote regions, Laliberté outlined VIA's performance and its most recent financial results.
 Laliberté went on to describe the challenges and issues in rail transportation for the coming decades, both at the national and international levels. He underlined the fact that all around the world, passenger train indicators are on the rise. Several demographic and social factors are likely to combine in the coming years to accentuate this trend, in particular because of the positive impact of the train, as a means of transportation, on the environment and climate change.

In order to meet the growing demand, the Government of Canada and VIA over the last two years have invested close to a billion dollars (Canadian) in the passenger rail network. These investments will make it possible for VIA to renew its fleet of locomotives and cars and reconfigure certain infrastructures. Other initiatives under this program will also allow VIA to reduce trip times, add new departures and improve its train on-time performance and operational efficiency. All these initiatives collectively will allow VIA to grow, thus reducing its dependence on public financing.

Laliberté concluded by reminding his audience that "the train lets you maximize every minute of your trip, in whatever way you want, whether for work or simply to enjoy the experience of a beautiful journey."