Canada’s high speed rail could be a game changer

Canada is investing in high-speed rail to boost economic growth, improve regional connectivity, reduce travel times, and promote sustainable transportation by connecting major cities and reducing reliance on cars and short-haul flights.

Canada’s announcement it will spend AUD$4B to investigate high speed rail in the Toronto-Quebec City corridor could be a game changer for high speed rail in Australia. 

Canada’s high speed rail will be based on VIA's proposals for “High Frequency Rail”

Canada’s high speed rail project, called Alto, will cover approximately 1,000 kilometres and is expected to reach speeds of up to 300 km/h.  The route will include stops in Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval, Trois-Rivières, and Quebec City.

The project is based on previous planning work by VIA Rail, the Canadian national passenger operator, to implement faster passenger services in the Toronto-Quebec City corridor.  However, the government has now it to be a high-speed rail line.  It created Alto, a federal Crown corporation, in November 2022 to oversee and manage the implementation and delivery of the High-Speed Rail Network.

Alto chose Cadence, a consortium of international firms with expertise in large-scale transportation projects, to co-design, build, finance, operate, and maintain the high-speed rail system.  The next steps will involve detailed design planning, Indigenous consultations, land acquisition, and environmental assessments.

The reasons given to implement high speed rail, instead of simply upgrading the existing lines to faster speeds, also resonate with us in Australia:

Economic Growth:

• The project aims to stimulate economic activity along the corridor by attracting commercial and residential development, and creating jobs during construction and operation.

• High-speed rail can enhance productivity and boost GDP by facilitating faster and more efficient travel between major economic hubs.

• Analysts estimate the project's total economic value at $15 billion to $27 billion (AUD17-30 billion)) over 60 years.

Improved Regional Connectivity:

• The new rail system will connect major cities like Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Quebec City, fostering greater regional integration and collaboration.

• This will enhance mobility for workers and students, expanding opportunities and improving access to services and amenities.

Reduced Travel Times and Emissions:

• High-speed rail promises to significantly reduce travel times between cities, making it a more attractive alternative to flying or driving.

• The project aims to cut emissions by encouraging people to choose rail over cars and short-haul flights, contributing to Canada's environmental goals.

National Cohesion and Sustainability:

• The project is seen as a way to strengthen national bonds and promote sustainable transportation, aligning with Canada's long-term infrastructure goals.

• A dedicated passenger rail network with dependable service could deliver intangible benefits, such as improved quality of life and reduced stress.

Canada is the most similar country to Australia in terms of size, population and settlement pattern.  And the similarity between Canada’s Toronto-Quebec City corridor and the Melbourne-Newcastle corridor in Australia is particularly striking. 

Canada	Toronto	Ottowa	Montreal	Quebec City	Total
Population	6 million	1.5 million	4.3 million	0.8 million	12.6 million
Distance	0 km	450km	200 km	260 km	910 km

Australia	Melbourne	Canberra	Sydney	Newcastle	Total
Population	5 million	o.5 million	5 million	0.2 million	10.7 million
Distance	0 km	660 km	280 km	170 km	1050 km* (direct)

So maybe this announcement might finally dispel the myth the Australia is too big and too sparsely populated to justify high speed rail.