By Robin MacLennan
Ontario Construction Report staff writer
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in February announced plans for a high-speed rail network connecting Toronto and Quebec City, marking what he called the largest infrastructure project in Canadian history.
The $3.9 billion design and development phase, set to last up to six years, will prepare for the construction of a 1,000-kilometre, all-electric rail line with trains reaching speeds of 300 km/h. The proposed route includes stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Laval, and Trois-Rivières.
The consortium selected to develop the rail line, known as Cadence, includes CDPQ Infra, AtkinsRéalis, Keolis, SYSTRA, SNCF Voyageurs, and Air Canada. A formal contract between Cadence and Alto, the Crown corporation overseeing the project, is expected in the coming weeks.
Construction won’t start until the end of $3.9-billion design phase that could last five years
“Today I’m announcing the launch of Alto, the largest infrastructure project in Canadian history,” Trudeau said at a press conference in Montreal. “A reliable, efficient, high-speed rail network will be a game-changer for Canadians.”
According to the government, the project will create more than 51,000 jobs during construction. Once completed, the high-speed trains will cut travel time between Toronto and Montreal to three hours, about half the time it takes to drive.
The initial $3.9 billion funding will be allocated over the six-year design phase, with construction expected to begin once that phase is complete. The total project cost could reach as high as $80 billion, according to earlier estimates by Transport Canada.
Work will be completed in three phases:
- procurement phase, which is complete
- current co-development phase that will iron out the specifics
- construction phase
Trudeau says the rail link will be built even if the Liberals lose the next election, which is scheduled for October but could come as early as the spring.
“High-speed rail in this country was always going to be a project that would take long enough to build that it would cover multiple governments,” Trudeau said. “It takes a will and a determination by a government to move forward and lock in this progress.”
The New Democrats said the rail network should be built entirely by the public sector, as private models drive up costs and lead to project delays. As well, the NDP said that with looming U.S. tariffs, the Liberals must require the link to be built with Canadian steel and aluminum.
“We’re taking the time to develop this project correctly so that future construction can proceed smoothly,” said Transport Minister Anita Anand.
Conservative MP Philip Lawrence, the party’s transport critic, dismissed the announcement as a “photo-op,” arguing that the $3.9 billion allocated for the planning phase offers no guarantee of eventual construction. “This is yet another promise with no clear timeline for delivering results,” Lawrence said.
Political uncertainty also clouds the project’s future. Trudeau announced last month that he would step down as prime minister, with a new Liberal leader to be chosen by March 9. A federal election is expected in the spring, raising questions about whether future governments will continue the project.
Trudeau acknowledged the long-term nature of the initiative. “High-speed rail in this country was always going to be a project that would span multiple governments,” he said. “But this investment starts now and will be difficult to reverse.”