Estimated travel times along high-speed rail Ontario-Quebec Breaking: Transport Minister Announces Construction Timeline for Nation's First High-Speed Rail Network In a landmark announcement that marks a pivotal moment for Canadian transportation infrastructure, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, has revealed that the Ottawa-Montreal corridor will be the first segment constructed as part of Canada's ambitious Alto high-speed rail project. MacKinnon, joined by Martin Imbleau, President and CEO of Alto, confirmed that construction is slated to begin in 2029-2030. Why Ottawa-Montreal Makes Strategic Sense The selection of the Ottawa-Lavel- Montreal route as the inaugural segment is both practical and strategic. Spanning approximately 200 kilometres, this corridor was selected because it is the shortest and most technically simple segment. It offers the quickest route to getting shovels in the ground and t...

  Over 40 Years in the Making: High-Speed Rail Legislation Finally Arrives in Canada The positive momentum to building Canada's first dedicated high-speed rail in Ontario-Quebec continues with the tabling of BILL C-15 An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025 for FIRST READING, November 18, 2025. In it under Part 5 -- Various Measures - Division 1 is the High-Speed Rail Network Act . As a person who has watched the ups and downs of attempts to implement high-speed rail in Canada for over 40 years there is some optimism. The Long History of High-Speed Rail in Canada The Canadian federal government study asking the simple question in 1981 - Is there a future, a potential, for high-speed passenger rail services in Canada? That was then and nothing happened. I remember well in 2000, the ill-fated VIA Fast Study that died during the Chrétien/Martin Liberal feud. Just maybe the 2025 High-Speed Rail Network Act can finally begin ...