Issue/Source: High-Speed Rail initiative (Co-Development phase)
Location: Ontario and Quebec
Date: January 2026
Suggested Responses
- Building the first High-Speed Rail network in Canada is a generational initiative that will boost GDP by up to $35 billion, could create 51,000 jobs during construction, and unlock enhanced productivity for generations of Canadians.
- The first segment of the High-Speed Rail network will run between Ottawa and Montreal. Confirming this segment as the first to move forward is a recognition of its potential to deliver early benefits to travellers, communities and the economy.
- On January 21, 2026, Alto launched a three-month consultation process in various communities between Toronto and Québec City. Through open house information sessions, virtual sessions, and an online platform, Canadians will have multiple opportunities to share their views on the corridor under study.
Background Information
The Co-Development phase between Alto and the private development partner, Cadence, a consortium made up of Canadian and French companies began in March 2025.
It is too early to determine a specific cost for the High-Speed Rail project. However, initial estimates are between $60 - $90 billion.
The High-Speed Rail initiative is an example of the Government transforming and restructuring the Canadian economy. It will revolutionize how people live and work in Ontario and Quebec by halving journey times, decreasing emissions and unlocking opportunities for jobs and housing. It will also spur economic growth while supporting Canadian industries and suppliers.
The initiative will join major centres through Canada’s most densely populated areas, and yield benefits for key government priorities such as:
- Housing – the initiative will contribute to the housing supply with a target of 63,000 units.
- Environment – the initiative will provide a sustainable means of travel – with a target of 25 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions savings.
- Job creation – the initiative will deliver well-paying jobs – with a target of 51,000 new jobs over ten years.
The initiative will support Canadian businesses by maximizing their participation. Benefits will come through sourcing goods and material such as steel, timber and concrete as well as investment and partnerships.
The project will require 300,000 tonnes of steel. Alto has already commenced work on maximizing the sourcing of this material from domestic suppliers.
Alto has been consulting over 40 Indigenous leaders, communities and organizations through Ontario and Quebec since 2022, and is seeking ways to for Indigenous peoples to significantly participate in the initiative and share its benefits.
Alto launched a corridor-wide public consultation campaign in January 2026 running through to Spring 2026. The consultation campaign will focus on presenting the broad corridor to Canadians across Ontario and Quebec, including Indigenous peoples. The results of this consultation will be included as part of a multi-criteria analysis to recommend a preferred alignment and station locations to the Minister for approval. Once this process is complete, the preferred alignment will be shared publicly by Alto.