November 8, 2016

PRESIDENT OF VIA RAIL RECEIVES QUÉBEC GENERAL COUNSEL AWARD FROM ZSA

Montreal, November 8, 2016 – The President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail), Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, received the Business Achievement Award at the 2016 Quebec General Counsel Awards, presented by ZSA Legal Recruitment on November 7. This award recognizes an executive who has overcome the challenges of transitioning from a legal career to a corporate executive environment. Desjardins-Siciliano was rewarded for his achievement in developing and implementing the business strategy that has led to VIA Rail’s success. This customer-focused vision has persuaded more travellers to come onboard, expanding the company’s clientbase and boosting its revenue for the first time in several years.

“It is a great honour to receive this recognition from my peers,” said Mr. Desjardins-Siciliano. “I accept it with humility, but above all, I accept it with pride on behalf of all VIA Rail employees. An idea can only become a business strategy if it is accepted and implemented in the daily work of the men and women at our company. I am lucky to be surrounded by employees who are committed to serving their fellow citizens. Their support is what makes it possible to carry out such an ambitious strategy for passenger rail transport in Canada.”

Held every two years, the 2016 Quebec General Counsel Awards is the only event in Quebec that celebrates the achievements of Bar members who have chosen to work in the business sector. The awards are presented by ZSA, one of Canada’s leading legal recruitment firms.

About VIA Rail Canada
As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail (viarail.ca) and its 2,600 employees are mandated to provide safe, efficient and economical passenger transportation service, in both official languages of our country. VIA Rail operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking over 400 communities across Canada, and about 180 more communities through intermodal partnerships, and safely transports nearly four million passengers annually. The Corporation was awarded seven Safety Awards by the Railway Association of Canada over the last eight years. For more information, visit: www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail.