Other than by air , the " all-Canadian " travel links between Eastern and Western Canada are considered poor by modern North American standards . One option is to take The Canadian , a passenger train now operated by Via Rail two or three times weekly depending on the season . By train , it takes roughly 36 hours on average to travel from Winnipeg to Toronto . The only other options by land is to travel on Ontario Highway 17 or Ontario Highway 11 , which are both two lane highway for most of their length . Most Canadians who wish to travel from East to West and/or vice versa ( and for whatever reason are unable or unwilling to fly ) reject the all-Canadian routes in favour of travelling through the United States , which is both shorter and less expensive . This preference has persisted even in the face of stricter border controls instituted since the September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Western alienation