[milomilo]

I think you're both right - the biggest issue with VIA is a major structural one, that it does not have priority on the tracks it runs on. That will require major investment to fix and without that the actual performance of the trains will not be fixed.

But there are quirks of VIA that just 'exist' in typical Canadian fashion for no reason that could be fixed, like the aforementioned boarding process. The other stuff like food and nicer trains would be easier to fix once the major issue starts being fixed, as if people actually see the potential for VIA to be a good service then spending money on the niceties will be more easily justified.