As is the case for the entire project, the selection of candidates was overseen by a fairness monitor. This independent consultant acts as an objective, third-party observer, who monitors the procurement process to ensure that it is conducted in a fair manner, and consistent with the processes set out in the RFQ and RFP. Each RFQ response was structured as six packages: Respondent team composition, structure, governance and experience Infrastructure development capability and experience Design capability and experience Rail operations, commercial management & customer service delivery experience Experience and approach – working with Indigenous Peoples Financial capability and experience Six separate expert evaluation committees, one per package, evaluated each package independently and prepared anonymized evaluation reports. An Evaluation Review Committee then reviewed the anonymized evaluation reports from all evaluation committees to ensure completeness and consistency. National security and related risks were assessed and will continue to be assessed throughout the project, and measures to address these risks will be developed. Selection of the chosen private developer partner will depend on several conditions, including national security. The results were finalized on an anonymous basis and respondents were informed of the outcome on July 19. Once respondents were informed, the Minister and senior officials at Transport Canada, VIA Rail and VIA HFR were informed of the names of three retained consortia. Learn more about the three qualified teams to respond to the Request for Proposals. Learn More. Cadence - CDPQ Infra, SNC Lavalin, Systra Canada, Keolis Canada Intercity Rail Developers / Développeurs Ferroviaires Interurbains - Intercity Development Partners, EllisDon Capital, Kilmer Transportation, First Rail Holdings, Jacobs, Hatch, CIMA+, RATP Dev Canada, First Group, Renfe Operadora Partenaires Ferroviaires QCONNEXION Rail Partners - Fengate, John Laing, Bechtel, WSP, Deutsche Bahn