High-speed rail could transform the way millions of Canadians live, work, and travel between Toronto and Québec City.
A new report (CLICK HERE FOR REPORT) published by project developer Alto, states that now is Canada’s moment to invest in a 300-km/h passenger rail network.
The proposed corridor stretches nearly 1,000 kilometres, connecting major hubs like Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, and Québec City.
Right now, that corridor houses 17 million people and drives over 40 per cent of the country’s economy.
Alto’s analysis estimates the project will boost Canada’s annual GDP by nearly $25 billion once fully operational.
Over its first sixty years, the high-speed network is projected to deliver up to $49 billion dollars in overall economic and community benefits.
Commuters would see travel times cut in half, alongside reduced highway congestion and lower emissions.
Construction alone is expected to create around 50,000 jobs, with another 5,000 permanent positions to follow.
The full project carries an estimated capital cost between $60 and $90 billion, however, Alto claims operating revenues will cover day-to-day maintenance costs once trains are running.
Preliminary forecasts predict the system could carry up to 24 million passengers every year by 2055.
Alto continues to refine its plans alongside provincial, municipal, and Indigenous partners ahead of a final business case.
If approved, construction on the initial segment between Ottawa and Montréal could begin as early as 2029.
One, if not two corridors are being proposed to cut a swath of land through the Quinte region, with thousands of local residents against the project (in its current form).
