From 1984 dreams to 2026 reality—now it's your turn to participate
We're excited to announce a major update to our Canadian High-Speed Rail Maps page, and this time, there's something different: you can actually help shape the future of high-speed rail in Canada.
Since 2008, High-Speed Rail Canada has been documenting the vision, studies, and proposals for bringing world-class high-speed rail to this country. Our updated maps page now offers the most comprehensive visual timeline of Canadian HSR planning—from the earliest proposals to today's active consultation process.
A Journey Through Time: 1984 to 2026
Our updated collection spans 42 years of high-speed rail planning in Canada, featuring:
The Early Vision (1991-1995) VIA Rail first studied high-speed rail in 1984. That is when planners first seriously considered connecting Canada's two largest provinces with high-speed rail. The mid-90s brought detailed routing assessments and cost studies by SNC-Lavalin, showing how close we came to making this vision a reality decades ago.
The 2000s Studies Fast forward to the 2000s with the VIAFast Study (2002), the comprehensive SNCF High-Speed Rail Study (2010), and the innovative Windsor-Quebec City EcoTrain proposal (2011). Each study refined the vision, incorporating new technology and evolving urban development patterns.
Recent Momentum (2016-2025) The 2016 High-Speed Rail in Ontario Special Advisor's Final Report marked renewed governmental interest. Then came the detailed 2022 Alstom presentations, featuring seven separate regional maps covering Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Trois-Rivières, and Quebec City—showing how seriously this project was being considered with modern TGV technology.
Now It's Your Turn: The 2026 ALTO Consultation
Here's what makes this update truly special: the ALTO (Accelerating Long-distance Travel in Ontario and Quebec) project is NOW seeking public input. As of 02/09/2026, over 3,500 people have already provided comment.
The 2026 ALTO Consultation Map isn't just another study gathering dust—it's an interactive platform where Canadians can:
- View proposed routing options
- Understand potential station locations
- Provide direct comments and feedback on the routing
- Help shape the final project design
This is the most significant public consultation opportunity for high-speed rail in Canadian history. The online map allows you to zoom in on your community, see how the proposed routes might affect your region, and share your thoughts directly with the project team.
Why This Matters
Looking at the progression from 1984 to today, one thing becomes clear: high-speed rail in Canada isn't a new idea—it's an idea whose time has finally come. The technology exists. The routing has been studied extensively. The environmental and economic benefits are well-documented.
What's been missing? Public engagement and political will. The ALTO consultation gives Canadians a chance to demonstrate that there's genuine support for this transformative infrastructure project.
Regional Perspectives
While Ontario-Quebec gets the most attention, our updated page also includes the 2010 Alberta study, reminding us that Calgary-Edmonton represents another compelling corridor for high-speed rail. Each region of Canada has its own story and its own potential.
Explore and Participate
Visit our Canadian High-Speed Rail Maps page to:
- Browse the historical maps and see how planning has evolved
- Click through to the ALTO Consultation Map
- Add your comments on proposed routing options
- Share the consultation with fellow Canadians who care about sustainable transportation
This is your opportunity to be part of Canadian transportation history.
A Living Resource
As Canada's only national educational resource dedicated to high-speed rail, we're committed to keeping this maps page updated as new studies emerge and projects progress.
The vision of connecting Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City with world-class high-speed rail has persisted for 42 years for one simple reason: it makes sense. It would transform how Canadians travel, reduce emissions, boost economic development, and connect our communities in ways that highways and conventional rail simply cannot.
Now it's time to move from vision to reality. Explore the maps. Learn the history. And most importantly—make your voice heard in the ALTO consultation.
Because the future of high-speed rail in Canada won't be built by consultants and politicians alone. It will be built by Canadians who believe in a faster, cleaner, more connected future.
Visit the updated Canadian High-Speed Rail Maps page: https://www.highspeedrailcanada.com/p/canadian-high-speed-rail-maps.html
Participate in the ALTO Consultation: https://en.consultation.altotrain.ca/shaping-the-canada-of-tomorrow-with-high-speed-rail/places/interact-map
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