Canada’s “game-changer” high-speed rail plan gets $4 billion boost

A high-speed rail network connecting Toronto and Quebec City will receive almost $4 billion in funding, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Thursday.

The project, named Alto, will span approximately 1,000 kilometers and include stops in Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Laval, Trois-Rivières, and Quebec City.

Newsweek contacted the office of Justin Trudeau for more information on the project via email.

Why It Matters

The announcement marks the beginning of a new phase of construction on the rail project, which Trudeau first teased in 2021. Four years on, Trudeau is about to step down as prime minister, leaving this part of his political agenda unfulfilled.

What to Know

Canada will invest $3.9 billion into the rail project over six years to support the co-development phase, in addition to the $371.8 million allocated in the government’s 2024 budget.

Construction will commence once the co-development phase is complete. Unlike current Via Rail trains that share tracks with Canadian National Railway freight trains, the new line will prioritize passenger travel.

Trudeau described the project as a “game-changer” in his announcement. His government first unveiled preliminary plans for the route in 2021, with an estimated cost between $6 billion and $12 billion.

“Nearly half of our nation’s population lives here,” Canada’s Transport Minister Anita Anand said, referring to the corridor connecting Ontario and Quebec.

“The existing transportation system has not kept pace. High-speed rail will be the largest infrastructure project in Canadian history.”

The Cadence consortium, comprising transportation giants including Air Canada and CDPQ Infra—the company behind Montreal’s new automated commuter rail system—will collaborate with the federal government to co-design, finance, operate, and maintain the rail network.

However, the project’s future remains uncertain as Trudeau’s tenure comes to an end. Future leaders may not back the project as steadfastly as he has.

What People Are Saying

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at the announcement: “It’ll span a thousand kilometers with 100 percent electric trains. A reliable high-speed rail network will be a game changer for Canadians, slashing travel times by half. It will stimulate our economy and strengthen bonds between our cities.”

What Happens Next

Trudeau is expected to stay in power until a new leader of Canada’s Liberal Party is chosen. It is not yet clear if his successor will also support the rail project.

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