A new era of travel is dawning for Canada, with the federal government announcing the first phase of its ambitious high-speed rail project. The initial line will dramatically connect Ottawa and Montreal, promising a future where distance shrinks and opportunities expand.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon unveiled the plans Friday, standing alongside key Ottawa figures and Martin Imbleau, the CEO of Alto – the crown corporation tasked with bringing this monumental undertaking to life. MacKinnon emphasized the sheer scale of the project, calling it one of the largest public works ever envisioned for the nation.
Construction is slated to begin in 2029, focusing on a roughly 200-kilometre stretch between the two capital cities. This carefully chosen segment isn’t just about connecting Ottawa and Montreal; it’s a strategic move to cultivate the expertise needed for a nationwide network.
The route, while not yet finalized, will definitively include a stop in Laval, Quebec, strategically positioned just northwest of Montreal. Imbleau highlighted the natural synergy of starting in this region, a crossroads between Ontario and Quebec, two provinces with deeply rooted connections.
Alto is collaborating with a powerful consortium of international companies – AtkinsRéalis, Air Canada, CDPQ Infra, SYSTRA Canada, Keolis Canada, and SNCF Voyageurs – pooling global expertise to realize this vision. The ultimate goal extends far beyond this initial phase.
The fully-electrified rail line, once complete, will stretch approximately 1,000 kilometres from Toronto to Quebec City, with additional stops planned for Peterborough and Trois-Rivières. Imagine traversing these distances at speeds reaching up to 300 km/hr.
Current travel times between Ottawa and Montreal average just under two hours via Via Rail, which relies on tracks owned by CN Rail. The government confidently predicts the new high-speed line will slash those times in half, fundamentally changing how people experience travel in the corridor.
Beyond the speed and convenience, the project is projected to generate an impressive 51,000 jobs during the construction phase. This surge in employment will span a multitude of sectors, from steel and concrete production to advanced electrical systems and digital technologies.
The project, estimated to cost between $60 billion and $90 billion, builds upon initial funding of $3.9 billion allocated by the previous government for design and development. To expedite progress, recent budget proposals include legislation granting Alto significant new powers.
These proposed powers include streamlined land acquisition and exemption from review by the Canadian Transportation Agency, alongside a segmented approach to environmental assessments. Experts at the University of Ottawa’s Major Projects Observatory have described these measures as venturing into “uncharted territory,” highlighting the project’s ambitious scope and accelerated timeline.
For decades, a high-speed rail line along the Quebec City to Windsor corridor – home to nearly half of Canada’s population – has been a subject of study and debate. Now, that long-held aspiration is gaining tangible momentum, promising a transformative impact on the nation’s infrastructure and connectivity.
