VIA Destinations magazine gets a makeover!

MONTREAL, March 22, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - With the arrival of spring comes a new look for VIA Destinations! In addition to new columns and new, seasoned collaborators, the magazine set about redesigning its graphics grid. "By putting young singer Cœur de pirate on the cover, we wanted to portray this breath of fresh air flooding over the magazine", explains Editor Luc Boulanger. "We have reworked the graphics grid under the direction of Benoit Martin who, among other things, is the artistic director of M and XY magazines, so as to allocate more space for graphic elements, which gives the publication a far more compelling personality. We've also streamlined the information management to make the magazine more enjoyable to read", concluded Boulanger.

In the April 2012 issue, coming out on March 15, VIA Destinations presents a Women's Issue. The editors have selected 10 Canadian women who are models in their professional field. Among these influential women are: comedian and host Véronique Cloutier, who confides in television columnist Richard Therrien from Quebec City's Le Soleil newspaper; Bonnie Brooks, President and CEO of the Hudson's Bay Company; and CBC reporter Amanda Lang, who is interviewed by Matthew Hays, a The Globe and Mail collaborator.

Among VIA Destinations' novelties are the following:

• In my suitcase: A globe-trotter unveils their secrets and tricks for packing the right way before leaving. Christiane Germain, President of the Germain Hotels group, is the first person to reveal what's inside her suitcase.
• Questionnaire: a person answers questions about travel memories from Toronto editor Mathieu Chantelois. This month, MTV humorist and host Ian Lynch confesses.
• Top Apps: a new techno column presenting the best mobile applications by a leader in digital strategy development.
• Five questions... for a creator. Featured this month is Sam Roberts.
• Portfolio: Carte blanche to an up-and-coming photographer who showcases their best shots. In this issue, Alexi Hobbs.

As usual, VIA Destinations has identified for you, coast to coast, vacation destinations to be discovered, new tourism trends and gastronomical favourites. It also gives you suggestions for cultural outings and leisure activities for the entire family!

About VIA Destinations Magazine

VIA Destinations Magazine is a bilingual magazine published by Éditions Gesca six times a year. The magazine offers reading that is leisurely, entertaining and informative on board VIA trains, as well as on VIA's website at viarail.ca.

About VIA Rail Canada

As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada's (www.viarail.ca) mandate is to provide safe, efficient, more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective passenger transportation, in the country's two official languages. Every week, VIA operates 503 intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking 450 communities across its 12,500-kilometre network. Winner of the 2011 RAC Safety Award, VIA transports over four million passengers annually. The demand for VIA services is growing as travellers increasingly turn to train travel as a safe, hassle-free and environmentally responsible alternative to congested roads and airports. Since 2007, the Government has invested nearly 1 billion dollars in VIA in order to meet growing demand and transform Canada's rail passenger service for the future. Follow the evolution of current projects at via-rail.ca/transformingVIA. Follow VIA on Twitter at twitter.com/via_rail. Visit VIA on Facebook at facebook.com/viarailcanada.

For further information:

Media Contacts
Diane Langevin
Senior Manager, Marketing Communications
514 871-6157
[e-mail]

Anne-Marie Desautels
Advisor, Communications
514 285-7000, x7253
[e-mail]

Luc Boulanger
Editor
514 285-7000, x5041
[e-mail]