(The Canadian Press circulated the following story on March 14.)
OTTAWA — Paul Cote was confirmed Monday as president and chief executive officer of Via Rail, after acting as the interim top executive at the Crown corporation for more than a year.
Cote was appointed by federal Transport Minister Jean Lapierre last month but the move required the approval of the Standing Committee on Transport, received Monday. He replaces Marc LeFrancois, who was dismissed by Prime Minister Paul Martin in March 2004 after Auditor General Sheila Fraser reported on the use of Via money to pay for a television production about hockey legend Maurice “Rocket” Richard.
Via operates Canada’s national passenger rail service.
“I am honoured to accept this appointment,” Cote said. “I view this as a vote of confidence by Minister Lapierre and the government in the organization, and especially in its 3,000 dedicated employees.”
Cote spent six years with Canadian National Railways in their passenger rail division before joining Via Rail’s marketing group in 1978. He held three different vice-president’s positions with Via between 1992 and 2000 prior to assuming the position of chief operating officer in 2001.
In February 2004, Cote agreed to act as interim president and CEO of Via while maintaining his chief operating officer responsibilities.