The war in Ukraine has had devastating impacts on its people, transportation infrastructure and critical trade routes for a range of goods, affecting the safety, security, and prosperity of Ukrainian citizens.
Today, during the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)'s 41st Assembly, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, met with the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, the Ambassador of Ukraine and officials from the Railway Association of Canada (RAC), to identify areas of collaborative rail assistance to Ukraine.
Following this discussion, the Government of Canada, the Government of Ukraine, Ukraine's National Railway, Ukraliznytsia, and RAC, on behalf of Canadian railways including CP, and CN established a working group to support the reconstruction of Ukrainian transportation infrastructure and the resiliency of Ukraine's rail infrastructure.
Key objectives of the working group include:
· Supporting the rebuild of rail sector infrastructure;
· Maximizing rail capacity;
· Working with the Canadian rail industry to implement core objectives and expertise;
· Analyzing challenges to the movement of Ukrainian export-ready commodities by rail; and
· Attempting to identify practical solutions with government and industry allies.
Based on the significant experience and expertise of CP, CN and other Canadian railways in transporting large quantities of commodities and operating a world-class freight rail system, the railways will provide input, guidance and recommendations in support of transportation-specific issues.
