"Young people, when informed and empowered,
when they realize that what they do truly makes a difference, can
indeed change the world." - Jane Goodall
VIA Rail and Hack Club Collaborate on Epic
Cross-Country Journey called "The Boreal Express"
to Champion Sustainable Travel, Youth Empowerment, Technology
and Climate Solutions
VANCOUVER, BC, July 22, 2024 /CNW/ - VIA Rail Canada (VIA
Rail) is collaborating this summer with Hack Club, a global
non-profit network of young coders, makers and builders for a
cross-country train adventure from Vancouver to Toronto and then on to Montreal.
The trip is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these young
innovators to travel through Canada's natural landscapes on the iconic
The Canadian while highlighting the importance of
environmental stewardship, youth innovation, and the benefits of
rail travel in shaping a more sustainable world.
Fifty of the world's most creative High School coders, climate
change activists, performing artists, and entrepreneurs, will use
this journey to build hands-on projects focused on sustainability,
ecological science, and finding creative solutions to environmental
challenges.
This unique trip on VIA Rail's cross-country train The
Canadian will pass through breathtaking landscapes and remote
wilderness areas, highlighting the importance of environmental
stewardship, youth innovation, and the ecological advantages of
rail travel.
Environmental Focus and Youth Empowerment
The collaboration between Hack Club and VIA Rail aims to inspire
a new generation of environmental advocates and innovators. In
addition, the journey will feature performances by renowned
Canadian artists, providing a platform to showcase the country's
rich cultural tapestry. Performers include former Cirque du Soleil
stars Mooky McGuinty and
"Ryu" Yamazumi, Toronto vaudeville comedian John Park, and Canadian Folk Star Aleksi
Campagne, all of whom reflect the diversity and creativity of
Canada.
VIA Rail's Commitment: Championing Passenger Rail as a
sustainable solution
The train is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to
travel and VIA Rail is committed to being a driver of change for
more sustainable transportation in Canada.
As the national passenger rail service, VIA Rail also has a
responsibility that goes beyond offering sustainable transportation
to Canadians. This collaboration with Hack Club underscores VIA
Rail's commitment to positively impact the lives of those around us
by acting today for a better tomorrow.
Hack Club's mission is to empower youth to create a more
sustainable future which aligns perfectly with VIA Rail's mandate
of delivering a safe, accessible, environmentally friendly
transportation network that seamlessly connects Canadian
communities.
Join the Journey
Hack Club and VIA Rail invite the public and media to follow
this incredible journey through regular updates on social
media.
The train departs Vancouver on
Monday, July 22nd
with stops in Jasper, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Melville, Winnipeg, Sioux
Lookout, Hornepayne, and
many other communities along the route before arriving in
Toronto on Friday, July 26th.
Hack
Clubbers will board a train from Toronto to Montreal on Sunday,
July 28th to complete their journey.
This collaboration not only aims to inspire environmental
consciousness but also to highlight the role of youth in shaping a
more sustainable world.
A media kit, including stock photos, videos and information
on The Canadian, along with pictures of the trip to be added daily,
is available here.
Quotes from our partners
"Our government is proud to support initiatives like VIA Rail
and Hack Club's cross-country journey. Thanks to these initiatives,
young people are empowered to tackle the world's most pressing
issues. Since 2015, our government has put forward a reliable,
concrete, and effective plan to support youth development: from
CanCode — a program that to this day continues to support over 4.5
million students' coding and digital skills — to the important
initiatives right here in Vancouver Granville where we are
supporting youth employment in the tech industry at Byte Camp
through the Canada Summer Jobs Program. We will keep ensuring the
voices, skills, and aspirations of young Canadians are at the heart
of the important work of building a fairer Canada for all."
Taleeb Noormohamed, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville
and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian
Heritage
"Coding is the closest thing we have to a superpower. With
this trip, our hope is to inspire the next generation of engineers
to use their skills for the planet."
Zach Latta, Founder, Hack
Club
"We need to young people to see and appreciate wilderness so
they will value nature and want to protect it. We hope that will
happen on this adventure across Canada."
Christina Asquith, Co Founder,
Hack Club
"Our collaboration with The Hack Club underscores VIA Rail's
desire to have a positive impact on the lives of Canadians. We are
not just a passenger rail service; we are drivers of change,
dedicated to acting today for a better tomorrow. This partnership
is a testament to our belief that together, we can inspire and
nurture the next generation of innovators who will continue to
champion passenger rail, sustainability and ecological
responsibility."
Michael Acosta, Chief Commercial
Officer, VIA Rail Canada
About Hack Club
Hack Club is a global nonprofit network of high school makers
& student-led coding clubs where young people build the agency,
the network, & the technical talent to think big & do big
things in the world. Founded in 2014 by 16-year-old Zach Latta, Hack Clubs are now in nearly 400
high schools with 10,000 students each year. To learn more, please
visit their website: https://hackclub.com.
About VIA Rail
VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to operate the national passenger
rail service on behalf of the Government of Canada, and to provide a safe, accessible,
efficient, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible
service that meets the needs of Canadian passengers. VIA Rail
operates intercity trains connecting over 400 communities
across Canada and ensuring rail
transportation services to regional and remote communities. The
Corporation safely transported over four million passengers in 2023
and has been awarded nine Safety Awards and three Environment
Awards by the Railway Association of Canada. For more, visit our website:
https://corpo.viarail.ca/en.
Information: media@viarail.ca
Follow VIA Rail
Twitter
@VIA_rail
Facebook:
viarailcanada
Instagram:
@viarailcanada
VIA: the blog
SOURCE VIA Rail Canada Inc.