On the VIA Rail issue, the reduction in the main estimates reflects the fact that many of VIA's large capital projects are winding down. In the budgets of 2007 and 2009, about $923 million was allocated to VIA for a whole bunch of major capital projects. They've accomplished much of what they set out to do; a lot was completed in 2011. They still have over $140 million for further work. It reflects where they are in the process—in the completion of capital projects.
On March 27th, 2012. See this statement in context.