Via Rail paid $11 million in bonuses amid travel delays and losses

Via Rail handed out millions of dollars in bonuses to executives and employees, amid frequent travel delays, ongoing financial troubles, and increased government subsidies, newly released documents show.

A report this month from the Crown Corporation found 40 per cent of its trains were late in 2023, while its operating losses increased year-over-year.

Via Rail doled out $11.4 million in bonuses during the 2023-2024 fiscal year, according to documents tabled in Parliament. Eleven executives received a total of $1,158,156.15 in bonuses, which works out to an average of $105,286.92 per person.

Meanwhile, another $10.2 million in bonuses were paid to 748 employees described in the documents as “below the executive level (or equivalent.)”

Via says, like many corporations, it offers incentives to non-unionized employees based on individual and company performance.

“2023 bonuses were based on several elements linked to financial performance, including Via Rail’s revenues, which increased significantly last year reflecting our increase in ridership,” said Via in a statement to Global News Tuesday.

More than four million passengers boarded Via trains in 2023, a 25 per cent bump from the previous year.

The increased demand helped drive up profits 29 per cent to $430.7 million. But Via’s operating losses grew eight per cent year-to-year to $381.8 million, as the company continues to rely on government funding.

The Crown corporation received $773 million in subsidies in 2023, which represents a 15 per cent increase from 2022. It has not reached a full-year profit since 2017.

The bonus figures were released Monday in response to an order paper question by Conservative MP Andrew Scheer submitted on April 9.

The documents were tabled less than