I don't know if VIA looks to Amtrak for inspiration. They tried Superliners on the Skeena and didn't like them. Even if they had money, they would not have bought them.
VIA could have bought Santa Fe hi-levels from Amtrak for a song in the 1990's when Amtrak got rid of them and refurbished them nicely. Such coaches, lounges, and diners would have been fine for the Skeena, Ocean, and perhaps the Corridor's Windsor - Quebec City thru train. It still did not occur to them. Instead they bought REN cars - and regretted it. They don't like winter and they rotted out. They are the first thing to go. There's only one set left on the Corridors.
VIA could have bought Santa Fe hi-levels from Amtrak for a song in the 1990's when Amtrak got rid of them and refurbished them nicely. Such coaches, lounges, and diners would have been fine for the Skeena, Ocean, and perhaps the Corridor's Windsor - Quebec City thru train. It still did not occur to them. Instead they bought REN cars - and regretted it. They don't like winter and they rotted out. They are the first thing to go. There's only one set left on the Corridors.