Canada is a vast, expansive, beautiful country. To traverse it requires rail like none other. But low-cost high-frequency passenger rail has eluded most Canadians for decades. It’s time for change. 

This article is Sponsor Content presented by the Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC).

The Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) will host the inaugural Canadian Smart Rail Technology Conference on November 23-24, 2020. With platinum sponsor ABB, and gold sponsors HDR and Parsons, the conference will focus on “Moving Canadians Forward” with the most advanced rail technologies available world-wide, many of which are designed and innovated in Canada.

Conference participants will hear from industry experts, business leaders, and political representatives and decision-makers on the critical topics defining our nation’s rail future, including electrification, autonomy and connectivity, light-weighting, big data analytics, hyperloop technology, and post-pandemic rail recovery.

Hear the top leaders in rail and transit innovation

With a speaker list that is growing daily, participants can look forward to hearing from the leaders of organizations at the cutting-edge of transportation and rail innovation, including Ballard Power Systems, Canada Infrastructure Bank, eCamion, Bombardier, Natural Resources Canada, Siemens Mobility, Thales Canada Inc, Translink, VIA RAil, and more.

Key decision makers in attendance will include:

• Catherine McKenna, Canadian Minister of Infrastructure & Communities
• Caroline Mulroney, Ontario Minister of Transportation
• Seamus O’Regan, Canadian Minister of Natural Resources
• Andrea Khanjin, Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
• Chantal Rouleau, Quebec Minister of Transport
• John Tory, Mayor of Toronto

A national imperative

“Rail is critical to Canada as a global hub of innovation,” said Josipa Petrunic, president and CEO of CUTRIC. “It supports well-paying jobs and national economic growth. Leveraged properly, it can also support nation-wide technological innovation that addresses climate change while ensuring a high-quality of life for all Canadians.”

With the Canadian government having committed to exceeding 2030 climate targets, and legislating the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, the conference seeks to drive rail innovation forward and the objectives of reduced carbon emissions, improved energy efficiency, and better transit for all.

Join CUTRIC this November for a rail innovation conference that positions Canada as a leader in the global rail innovation dialogue. To get more information, sign up as a sponsor, or purchase tickets, visit events.cutric-crituc.org/railconference2020.