Via Rail CEO stepping down after 3-year tenure, transport minister announces

The federal transport minister says Via Rail Canada Inc. president and CEO Cynthia Garneau has resigned.

Omar Alghabra says Garneau’s resignation is effective Friday and comes three years after she was appointed CEO in May 2019.

Alghabra credits Garneau with helping to modernize Via Rail and adapting its operations during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Francoise Bertrand, the chairperson of Via Rail’s board of directors, says Martin R. Landry will “ensure business continuity” following Garneau’s departure.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Landry has served as Via Rail’s chief commercial affairs officer for the last eight years.

Garneau did not share why she was stepping down, but says in a release that she is leaving with a feeling of accomplishment.

“My train has arrived at its destination,” she says. “It will now be up to another driver to lead the organization through the next steps.”

3:01 High-frequency rail line could cut travel time between Toronto and Ottawa, transport minister says