Tuesday, November 3, 2026
VIA Rail Canada annoumced the completion of the modernization of its Toronto Maintenance Centre, with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov 2.
The new facilities combine purpose-built infrastructure, advanced technology and modern maintenance capabilities to support the reliability, performance and longevity of VIA Rail’s new Corridor fleet of 32 bidirectional trainsets, while continuing to service existing equipment.
Funded by a $310 million investment from the Government of Canada, the four-year project was delivered on budget and generated significant benefits in Canada. It supported up to 475 jobs in skilled trades and construction, and more than 80 per cent of the project’s content was Canadian. Over its lifecycle, the Toronto Maintenance Centre will continue to sustain nearly 240 permanent jobs.
“When people think about passenger rail, they usually think about the trains, the stations, and the trips they take,” said Graham Blackstone, VP, Mechanical Operations and Asset Management, VIA Rail at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. “But there’s a lot happening here behind the scenes to make these trips possible. And much of what happens here happens right here in our maintenance centers. Every day and every night, our team is making sure our safe trains are safe and ready for service. And these new facilities will help continue that essential work.”
The upgraded Toronto Maintenance Centre transforms an aging facility into a high-performance maintenance hub. Expanded maintenance bays and inspection platforms, preventive and corrective maintenance tracks compatible with trainsets of up to ten cars, under-track pits, and roof- and car-level work platforms allow maintenance teams to work around the train in a single integrated location.
“Through the Government of Canada’s investment, the modernized facilities at VIA Rail’s Toronto Maintenance Centre represent a significant step in strengthening the transportation infrastructure Canadians rely on. In addition to supporting skilled jobs throughout construction and operation, the centre will help improve connections between communities and the broader economy,” said John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour) and MP for Etobicoke North.
The facility also includes specialized heavy-maintenance equipment, including a stand-alone wheel lathe and a bogie drop table, as well as upgraded yard tracks designed to improve train movements and reduce operational bottlenecks. Fuel-plant improvements add new sanding, windshield-washer-fluid and diesel-exhaust-fluid systems to support current and next-generation equipment.
As part of a move toward more predictive, data-driven maintenance, a new Vehicle Equipment Measurement System (VEMS) was also added. By providing real-time monitoring, diagnostics and early fault detection, VEMS will help reduce unplanned downtime, extend asset life and keep more trains available and ready for service.
VIA Rail Canada’s new Toronto Maintenance Centre. (VIA Rail Canada)
“The completion of the Toronto Maintenance Centre is a concrete demonstration of how VIA Rail is modernizing passenger rail in Canada,” said Mathieu Paquette, president and CEO of VIA Rail Canada. “This facility gives our teams the infrastructure and technology they need to maintain our trains more efficiently, improve fleet availability and support a more reliable, accessible and comfortable experience for our passengers.”
The completed Toronto Maintenance Centre is part of VIA Rail’s broader transformation, alongside the new Corridor fleet, the renewal of its long-distance, regional and remote fleet, and projects such as the Dorval Multimodal Hub.
“This announcement is another major milestone in transforming our passenger rail system in Canada into a modern and efficient fleet that will improve Canadians’ lives. It is also a local success story in Etobicoke-Lakeshore for jobs and will continue building the community at large.” James Maloney, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke—Lakeshore
Featured image: (L to R) Graham Blackstone, VP, Mechanical Operations and Asset Management, VIA Rail; John Zerucelli, MP for Etobicoke North; and James Maloney, MP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore.(ReNew Canada)
