Politics · Canada · 2 days ago
Alto says it will pursue Toronto–Quebec City high-speed rail despite PQ opposition
Alto, a Crown corporation, is preparing a proposed high-speed rail line between Toronto and Quebec City.
The route would stop in Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Laval and Trois-Rivières.
The newly elected Parti Québécois government opposes the project and said during the election campaign it would withdraw Quebec from it.
PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon says the money should instead go to aging infrastructure, including hospitals, roads and public transit.
A federal budget watchdog estimated the project could cost $75 billion to $113 billion, more than earlier estimates.
Alto says it will continue preparing the project, which it expects to take about 15 years, and aims to start construction by 2029.
A University of Ottawa professor says the project is unlikely to proceed without Quebec’s support, while the federal government says it is ready to work with the province.
Alto says it plans to deliver a proposed high-speed rail line between Toronto and Quebec City despite opposition from Quebec’s newly elected Parti Québécois government.
The PQ said during the election campaign that it would withdraw from the project if elected.
The party’s leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, says Quebec’s infrastructure needs should take priority.
Alto says it aims to begin construction by 2029, and estimates the project will take around 15 years from start to completion.
A Parliamentary Budget Office report estimates the project could cost between $75 billion and $113 billion.
- Who
- Alto, the Crown corporation responsible for the proposed rail line, says it intends to proceed despite opposition from the Parti Québécois government.
- What
- A proposed high-speed rail line connecting Toronto and Quebec City.
- When
- Alto aims to begin construction by 2029.
- Where
- The line would connect Toronto and Quebec City, with stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Laval and Trois-Rivières.
- Why
- Alto says its job is to prepare to deliver the project. The PQ argues that money should instead go to maintaining Quebec’s aging infrastructure.
Alto and the federal government
Parti Québécois
Project
Alto and the federal government
Alto says it plans to deliver the rail line, and the federal transport minister’s office says the government is ready to work with Quebec.
Parti Québécois
The PQ said it would withdraw from the project if elected.
Spending priorities
Alto and the federal government
The federal transport minister’s office says the project would benefit Quebecers for generations.
Parti Québécois
PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon says funds should go to aging infrastructure, including hospitals, roads and public transit.
The Parti Québécois said it would withdraw from Alto’s proposed train project if it came into power.
At a public meeting, Alto said the project would take around 15 years from inception to completion and that it aimed to begin construction by 2029.
- Route
- Toronto to Quebec City
- Planned stops
- Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Laval and Trois-Rivières
- Estimated cost
- $75 billion to $113 billion
- Construction target
- 2029
- Project duration
- Around 15 years from inception to completion
What people are saying
Our job is to laser focus on preparation and being ready to deliver this project on time, consistent with the budget, consistent with the expectations of our mandate.
Alto is a project of exceptional scale that will benefit Quebecers for generations to come.
I think it's dead,
Sources
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