N^o H265/05
For release December 22, 2005

EMPLOYMENT OF VIA CHAIRMAN
TERMINATED BY GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

OTTAWA — Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today announced that the employment of Jean Pelletier as chairman of the board of directors of VIA Rail Canada Inc. has been terminated, effective immediately.

No compensation will be paid to Mr. Pelletier as he has already initiated legal proceedings in Quebec Superior Court to recover salary, benefits and damages.

The decision comes after a November 18, 2005 Federal Court decision directing the Government to review its decision, taken in 2004, to terminate Mr. Pelletier's appointment.

Mr. Don Pettit, the current acting chairman of the board of directors of VIA Rail, will continue in that position until such time as a permanent replacement for Mr. Pelletier is appointed.

VIA Rail Canada Inc. is a federal Crown corporation wholly owned by the Government of Canada.

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