I just got back from living in Japan recently, and the boiling-frog syndrome of Canadian rail is palpable. I once got to the train station ~90 seconds before the last train to my home city was to depart, and was able to run in and buy the fare all in time to be able to run to the platform just as the train was pulling in.

If you bought a ticket with a non-reserved seat, you can take any train (or combo of trains if transferring) at any time you want between your 2 selected stations. Only if you choose to get a reserved seat and miss that departure is that portion of the ticket price lost (you can always just take a non-reserved seat on the next departure or likely get some leniency if you ask for a new reserved seat on a subsequent departure). Plus, there are always large discounts available for commuter passes.

I don't expect that level of rail in Canada, even in the Quebec City-Windor corridor, but holy hell we're so far behind.