2026 Special Examination—VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Ottawa, February 27, 2026—VIA Rail Canada Inc. released the report of a special examination completed by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. The Crown corporation operates the national passenger rail service on behalf of the Government of Canada, offering intercity rail services and providing rail transportation services to regional and remote communities. The audit focused on VIA’s corporate management practices and its management of operations. The report concludes that VIA was well‑managed and provides recommendations for improvement in
several areas.
The audit recommends that VIA improve its service offering by identifying and addressing the causes of service delays. VIA does not own most of the tracks and stations that it uses. Since these are outside VIA’s direct control, effective collaboration with track and station owners is necessary to understand and resolve delays. The audit also identified opportunities for improvement in other areas, including corporate governance.
Under the Financial Administration Act, federal Crown corporations are subject to a special examination by the Auditor General of Canada at least once every 10 years. These examinations focus on systems and practices that are key to providing the Crown corporation with reasonable assurance that its assets are safeguarded and controlled, its resources are managed economically and efficiently, and its operations are carried out effectively. Special examination reports are therefore a source of important information that parliamentarians can use to hold Crown corporations
to account.
The Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Board of Directors of VIA Rail Canada Inc. is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website.
For more information or to request an interview,
please contact
Media Relations
Telephone: 1-888-761-5953
Email: infomedia@oag-bvg.gc.ca