Trudeau Unveils $3.9 Billion High-Speed Rail Plan to Link Quebec City and Toronto

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a groundbreaking $3.9 billion initiative to develop Canada’s first high-speed rail network, a transformative project aimed at linking Quebec City and Toronto. The six-year plan, unveiled in Montréal on Wednesday, marks the launch of “Alto,” the largest infrastructure project in the nation’s history.

“A reliable, efficient, high-speed rail network will be a game-changer for Canadians,” Trudeau stated, emphasizing the long-term benefits of the fully electric system.

Introducing Alto: Canada’s largest infrastructure project ever — connecting nearly 20 million Canadians between Quebec City and Toronto with 300km/hour high-speed rail.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 19, 2025

The proposed network will span 1,000 kilometers, featuring all-electric trains capable of reaching speeds of 300 km/h. Key stops along the route include Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval, Trois-Rivières, and Quebec City. Once completed, the rail system is expected to cut travel time between Montréal and Toronto to just three hours—nearly half the time required for a car journey.

The government projects significant economic benefits, estimating an annual GDP boost of up to $35 billion and the creation of over 51,000 well-paying jobs during construction.

“This is a truly pan-Canadian endeavour,” Trudeau noted. “Alto will leverage expertise and resources from across the country.”

Despite the bold vision, construction will not begin immediately. The design phase is expected to take four to five years, with funding to be allocated at the end of that period. Given the timeline, the project may be subject to changes or cancellation by future governments.

“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 … from municipal to provincial to federal,” Trudeau acknowledged.

With a federal election anticipated this spring and a new Liberal leader set to be chosen by March 9, political uncertainties loom over the project’s future. However, Trudeau expressed confidence in its longevity: “This investment in Canadians, which starts right now, is going to be very difficult to turn back on.”

The government projects significant economic benefits, estimating an annual GDP boost of up to $35 billion and the creation of over 51,000 well-paying jobs during construction.

“This is a truly pan-Canadian endeavour,” Trudeau noted. “Alto will leverage expertise and resources from across the country.”

Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities and MP for Brampton West, highlighted the project’s significance, stating:

“Alto is a game-changer for Canada – a new high-speed rail, cutting commute times in half, creating over 51,000 jobs & slashing emissions. As Canada’s largest infrastructure project ever, Alto will bring 1,000 km of dedicated tracks with speeds of up to 300 km/h, turning the Toronto to Montréal commute to just three hours.”

The consortium chosen to spearhead the high-speed rail development is Cadence, a group comprising CDPQ Infra, AtkinsRéalis, Keolis, SYSTRA, SNCF Voyageurs, and Air Canada. According to sources, the group was notified only in the past 24 hours that their bid was successful, emerging as the top choice among three contenders.

Canada’s decision to pursue high-speed rail instead of the previously proposed high-frequency rail system signals a shift in transportation priorities. The federal government had earlier estimated that a high-speed rail link between Quebec City and Toronto could cost up to $80 billion.

While the promise of faster, greener travel excites many, concerns remain about the project’s feasibility and cost. With federal investments currently set at $3.9 billion over six years—alongside a previously announced $371.8 million—some experts warn that the final price tag could be substantially higher.