Via doesn't have procurement authority yet - right now they're basically in the step of testing the market so that the Corporation can develop a list of requirements for future cars. These requirements get approved by Via internally, and then in principal by the Federal Government. Following that is a competition to bid against that list of requirements.
While I've really simplified the process, that's how it works at a very macro level. When there's a new large scale federal purchase, which I'd suggest these future long distance cars fit into, it is about three to four years to get from Day 1 (which we aren't even at yet) to delivery day. The Request for Proposal (RFP) will most assuredly be launched on or very near April 1 of whatever year (Id guess 2024 but to be clear that's 100% a guess) and close on December 31 of the same year. That allows the contract to awarded before April 1 of the next calendar year - which is the same financial year as the RFP. Then add about four years for delivery and acceptance and that's about eight years. Generally these projects are timelined on the last delivery date. For comparison, where we are today with long distance equipment replacement is where we were with the new corridor equipment in Spring 2016. (Which went to RFP in 2018, awarded 2019, delivery starting 2021/2022).
Anyways that's a long preamble to get to a disagreement with the previous post. So far, and this absolutely can change, Via is not requesting a change in capability. It's so early in the process almost anything is possible, but Via has essentially said to the market, "what does a one for one replacement of our capability look like with what's available today?". So that means sleepers and diners. Day only trains with overnights would trigger a different start to this process. I say this as someone who has sadly been apart of many large procurements for the Federal Government.
The real test of leadership at Via, IMO, will be whether they use this process as it evolves to challenge the ridiculous service level from freight carriers for the Canadian. I suspect if we don't see a change of government that might actually occur. But who knows what even tomorrow holds at this point.