High Frequency Rail will transform passenger rail service in Canada through the creation of a faster and more frequent rail service along the country's busiest passenger rail corridor from Québec City to Toronto.
Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra welcomed the appointment of Ms. Fiona Blondin to the VIA HFR - VIA TGF Inc. (VIA HFR) Board of Directors. Ms. Blondin, a member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation in Northwest Territories, brings over 25 years of diverse experience in power, mining, public sector, and consulting for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
Throughout her career, Ms. Blondin has dedicated herself to improving the lives of Indigenous Peoples, promoting cultural awareness, traditions and understanding, and supporting Indigenous-led economic development initiatives. She attended Douglas College in British Columbia and received Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee medal in recognition of her work with First Nations.
She has lived in Ontario for several years near the Québec City-Toronto passenger rail corridor, giving her a unique first-hand understanding of the significance of this project as well as the communities in the region that VIA HFR will be consulting with. Mrs. Blondin's wealth of experience working with Indigenous peoples and on infrastructure projects involving Indigenous peoples, as well as her own personal experiences will prove invaluable to the VIA HFR Board.
The Government of Canada is committed to continuing to listen to, learn from, and work with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners on key priorities, including advancing reconciliation, to help build a more inclusive transportation sector.
