Canada’s rail sector closed out 2025 with steady, resilient performance in a complex global environment. In Q4, railways navigated elevated tariffs and shifting trade flows while continuing to deliver for Canadian industries and communities.
Q4 Key highlights:
• Modest year-over-year growth in Class 1 freight volumes (RTMs +2%, carloads +2%)
• Strong intermodal and grain and fertilizer shipments
• Improved operational performance, with faster train speeds and reduced dwell times
• Continued investment, with nearly $7B in capital spending across 2025
• Strong safety outcomes, with accident rates continuing to decline
These results underscore the industry’s adaptability and its essential role in supporting Canada’s trade and economic competitiveness. Canada’s railways remain focused on delivering safe, efficient, and reliable service.
Read the full report here: https://t.co/FL5vw9Xq7c
#RailCAN #Transportation #SupplyChain #Canada #Trade #Infrastructure
Another month, another set of grain movement records from Canada’s Class I railways! CN and CPKC each moved more 2.9 million metric tonnes of grain from Western Canada in May.
Results like these don't happen by accident. They reflect the value of efficient operations, strong coordination, investment, and collaboration across Canada's grain supply chain.
Check out the details here:
⚪CPKC - https://t.co/4Uus3XCmT4
⚪CN - https://t.co/R9mHDpW65O
#cdnrail #RailCAN #grain
TRANSCAER Canada was in Ottawa this week alongside the Dangerous Goods teams from the Railway Association of Canada and CN bringing together emergency responders, industry partners, and community leaders for three days focused on safety, preparedness, and collaboration.
A special thank you to the more than 130 participants who took part in TRANSCAER events over the past three days. Your commitment to learning, collaboration, and preparedness helps make our communities safer and stronger.
Thank you as well to our partners at the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada who helped make the event a success. Together, we continue to build stronger relationships, enhance preparedness, and support safer communities across Canada.
#TRANSCAER #Ottawa #EmergencyPreparedness #CommunitySafety #FirstResponders #TransportationSafety #railCAN
Women in Rail is in 2 weeks! Hear from best in class industry leaders and experts. Participate from anywhere in the world. Network with like-minded individuals.
Have you registered yet?: https://t.co/5SNNmjhdbO
#womeninrail#railCAN#conference
Thank you to Minister Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, for joining us today and for recognizing the important role rail plays in supporting Ontario’s economy, communities, and supply chains.
Last year the Ontario government was the first in Canada to implement a Shortline Rail Tax Credit. This tax credit is supporting infrastructure upgrades, unlocking new business opportunities, and strengthening first mile and last mile connections that tie communities to global markets.
Ontario’s 13 shortline railroads supply Ontario industries with critical inputs, and transport $7 billion (CAD) worth of goods annually. They are vital links in Ontario’s transportation network and key to the province’s future growth.
Thank you for joining us today!
#cdnrail #railCAN #investment #shortlineconference
Don't miss this incredible opportunity to meet industry leaders, network with like-minded individuals and gain valuable insights and skills to advance your career.
Check out panelists here! https://t.co/gNB2eiUdWK
#railCAN#virtualconference#register#WIR26
We are 3 weeks away! Join rail professionals from across the country for an afternoon of connection, learning, and inspiration. This #virtualconference brings together leaders and experts to share insights, spark conversations, and continue advancing women in the rail industry.
Have you registered yet? https://t.co/huz3vv1AEq
#railCAN #WIR26
Want to know where you should take your business next?
Hear from Oksana Kishchuk (Abacus Data) at the 2026 Shortline Conference as she draws on industry data and public opinion to identify emerging hotspots for growth and focus across Canada’s rail and transportation sectors.
Register today and be part of the conversation shaping what’s next: https://t.co/0Go998qhZj
📍 Ottawa | May 27–28, 2026
#ShortlineConference #RailCAN #FreightRail #BusinessGrowth #Infrastructure #Transportation #SupplyChain
In 2024, Canada’s railways invested a record $4.5 billion to expand capacity, modernization, safety, efficiency, and strengthen the network and supply chains.
Railways move 70% of Canadian intercity freight and 50% of the country’s exports. In practical terms, these investments help Canadian businesses get their goods to market efficiently.
Check out the full report here: https://t.co/CwvNiZLs9p
#railCAN #railtrends #data
The schedule is finalized, the speakers are lined up, and we’re counting down to the 2026 Shortline Conference!
Our next panel announcement: Trade-Driven Growth Through Port Connectivity with Brad Peters from NBM Railways.
From expanding trade corridors and improving supply chain efficiency to increasing capacity and strengthening access to global markets, integrated rail-to-port connectivity is playing a critical role in building a more competitive and resilient transportation network.
As Canada looks to support long-term economic growth through strategic infrastructure investment, conversations like this are helping shape the future of freight movement.
📍 Join us in Ottawa | May 27–28, 2026
Register today: https://t.co/T3qkgUWIVy
#ShortlineConference #RailCAN #PortConnectivity #TradeCorridors #SupplyChain #Infrastructure #EconomicGrowth
From 2023 to 2024, carloads increased across six of the 11 commodity groups tracked by RAC, including minerals (209,284 or 18.1%), intermodal (62,396 or 3.3%), fuel & chemicals (26,952 or 5.0%), agriculture (19,774 or 3.9%), food products (8,168 or 10.3%), and manufactured & miscellaneous (4,180 or 2.1%).
Despite several labour disruptions throughout the supply chain, railways moved $400 billion worth of goods. Swift recoveries from disruptions and the maintenance of low terminal dwell times helped prevent short-term disruptions from turning into larger supply chain problems.
Read the full report here: https://t.co/Anf2hy79nZ
#railCAN #railtrends
May 3-9 is Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada.
Safety is job #1 for Canadian railways. From investing in cutting-edge technology and strengthening infrastructure to providing specialized training for first responders handling dangerous goods, Canada’s railways go above and beyond to ensure safety always comes first.
Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility. Through initiatives like TRANSCAER®, and training courses and events offered by RAC staff, the rail industry works with governments, first responders, and communities to build a safer, more resilient Canada.
#EPWeek2026 #EmergencyPreparedness #TDG #RailSafety
Panel Announcement: Emerging Technologies in Water Monitoring for Resilient Shortline Infrastructure
At the Shortline Conference, this session will highlight how Ontario Northland Transportation Commission, in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada, is advancing technology-driven approaches to monitor water conditions and associated risks—such as potential flooding and washouts—near railway tracks.
Building on traditional field methods, this initiative integrates remote sensing through satellite observations, advanced sensors onboard hi-rail inspection vehicles, and key geospatial and weather data inputs to improve water monitoring tools and processes across the rail network.
Register today at: https://t.co/NTIvL5ixar
#railCAN #ShortlineConference #conference #environment
Registration is now open for the upcoming TRANSCAER® training event taking place in Ottawa on May 26 and 27, 2026.
This session will bring together emergency responders, industry, and government partners to strengthen preparedness for incidents involving the transportation of dangerous goods. Participants will benefit from practical, hands-on training and the opportunity to connect with experts and peers.
🔗 Register here: https://t.co/HzqUPs4gNb
#TRANSCAER #EmergencyPreparedness #TDG #Safety #OttawaEvents
How does strategic rail investment unlock national growth?
At the Shortline Conference, Brett Young from the Hudson Bay Railway, will join our Rail Economic Expansion panel to explore how strategic investment in rail infrastructure can drive economic growth. Using the expansion of Port of Churchill as a compelling example, the discussion will examine how coordinated rail and port development can strengthen trade corridors, support exports, and unlock new opportunities for northern communities.
As Canada works to expand capacity and build more resilient supply chains, conversations like this will help shape the path forward.
📍 Join us at the Shortline Conference 2026
📅 May 27–28 | Ottawa
Register today: https://t.co/4cl7uLIQNF
#ShortlineConference #railCAN #FreightRail #conference #Infrastructure #SupplyChain #NorthernDevelopment
Today and every day, we’re proud of the role Canada’s rail sector plays in supporting a more sustainable and competitive economy.
Last week, Canada’s National Inventory Report reinforced what we see across the industry every day: rail continues to be one of the most fuel-efficient and lower emitting ways to move goods and people. In 2024, railways accounted for just 3.1% of total transportation emissions, and only 0.9% of total Canadian emissions.
Behind those numbers is a story of continuous progress. And that progress is being driven by innovation. Across the country, railways continue to drive emissions reductions through investments in fleet modernization, fuel saving technologies, operational efficiencies, and increasing the use of low-carbon fuels. Sustainability is embedded in how Canada’s railways operate every day.
On #EarthDay, we recognize that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility. Canada’s rail sector is helping reduce transportation emissions while strengthening trade, passenger mobility, and supply chain resilience.
#railCAN
From daily commutes to unforgettable destinations, public transportation connects us to work, to life, and to each other. Across Canada, passenger railways play a vital role in linking communities, safely moving millions of passengers each year, and supporting our vibrant tourism economy.
Here’s to the connections that keep Canada moving 🚆
#railCAN #worldpublictransportday
Shortline railways play a critical role in Canadian supply chains, linking local economies to broader markets. They provide an efficient and sustainable way to move goods across the country and beyond.
Fact: One in five freight carloads in Canada originates on a shortline, moving $49 billion worth of goods each year.
Connect with Canada's leading Shortline railways this May at our Shortline Conference: https://t.co/IYs4pUo1GN
#railCAN #movingeconomies #shortlines #railways
Canada’s vast landscapes, vibrant cities, and unforgettable travel experiences are on full display in this recent guide from Travel + Leisure.
Canadian railways play a vital role in linking communities, supporting tourism, and offering a more sustainable way to explore our country. As you read through the guide, it’s a great reminder of how accessible Canada’s beauty can be — whether you’re traveling between major cities or discovering hidden gems along the way.
Where will your next Canadian journey take you?
VIA Rail Canada
https://t.co/Ke8IfPbU06
Rail safety is a shared responsibility.
Metrolinx’s new rail crossing safety campaign highlights an important fact: trains can take up to 2 kilometres, or 33 hockey rinks, to come to a complete stop.
Knowing the signs and staying aware of your surroundings helps keep everyone safe. A moment of awareness can make all the difference.
Learn more at: https://t.co/pAdLJkDEG2
#RailSafety #PublicSafety #Transportation #Canada
Back to back registration days!
Registration is now open for the 2026 Railway Emergency Response Course. This in-person course offers expert-led, hands-on training in derailment simulations, tank car anatomy, damage assessment, and fire suppression.
Build real-world skills for rail incident response.
Learn more and register: https://t.co/dEj8fgyooU
#railCAN #emergencyresponse #training