Could Quebec’s new government derail plans for Alto’s high-speed train project?

The Crown corporation responsible for a proposed high-speed rail line connecting Toronto to Quebec City says it plans to deliver on the project, despite opposition from the newly elected Parti Québécois (PQ) government.

During the election campaign, the Parti Québécois (PQ) said it would withdraw from Alto’s proposed train project if it came into power.

PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon argues the money intended for the project should instead go toward maintaining the province’s aging infrastructure, such as its hospitals, roads and public transit.

A recent report from the Parliamentary Budget Office suggests building the proposed high-speed rail project could cost between $75 billion and $113 billion, an amount higher than initially estimated.

St-Pierre Plamondon says if there are billions of dollars to invest in infrastructure, building the high-speed rail isn’t among the top priorities for Quebecers.

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has said the Alto high-speed rail line connecting Quebec City to Toronto, and stopping in five other cities along the way, is not among Quebecers’ priorities. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Alto says the project is here to stay

In a public meeting on Wednesday afternoon, Alto said the project from its inception to completion will last around 15 years and there will be many governments they will work with. Their objective is to begin construction by 2029.

“The issue of government relations between the government of Canada and the government of Quebec, the government of Ontario — that’s for the governments. That’s not our jobs, that’s above our pay grade,” said J. Robert S. Prichard, chair of the board of directors at Alto.

“Our job is to laser focus on preparation and being ready to deliver this project on time, consistent with the budget, consistent with the expectations of our mandate. That’s the job we have,” he said. 

Alto says it does not want to divide or separate communities, and that it does not intend to sever federal or provincial highways – building over and underpasses when possible. (Alto)

When asked about the PQ’s opposition to the project, the office of the federal minister of transport, Steven MacKinnon, says the Canadian government believes in co-operative federalism, and is ready to work with the Quebec government on this project.

“Alto is a project of exceptional scale that will benefit Quebecers for generations to come,” a statement from the office reads. 

“It will transform the way people travel between major centres in Quebec and Ontario, with tangible benefits for their work, education and social lives.”

‘I think it’s dead,’ says political studies expert

But André Lecours, a professor in the school of political studies at the University of Ottawa, doesn’t believe the project is viable without the support of the Quebec government.

“I think it’s dead,” said Lecours. “I don’t think that the federal government would go ahead against the wishes of the PQ.

“I think it’s in the interest of the government of Canada to minimize tensions with the Quebec government at this point.”

Lecours added that it seems unlikely that opposition parties will put their efforts into supporting this project and attempting to influence the PQ to support it. 

The Conservative Party of Quebec, which won a historic 19 seats in the general election, has also spoken out against the project.

Jérémie Letellier, president of the Fédération de l’UPA de la Montérégie, says the high-speed rail line would be catastrophic for agricultural communities. (Chloë Ranaldi/CBC)

Jérémie Letellier, president of the Fédération de l’UPA de la Montérégie, a regional branch of Quebec’s largest agricultural federation, says the rail project would be catastrophic for farming communities in Ontario and Quebec.

“In the end, the decision goes to the federal government, so it’s clearly a political issue right now,” he said. 

“We will do whatever we can to stop this project. There’s nothing good for farmers in this.” 

He says compensation offered to farmers will not be enough, since the train would severely affect operations by cutting through farmland.

During the public meeting, Alto wanted to reassure farmers.

“There will never be a break in a numbered highway, a federal highway, a provincial highway or a major highway,” said Alto’s CEO, Martin Imbleau.

Alto says a more detailed route for the network’s initial section between Ottawa and Montreal is expected in the fall.

Construction of the first segment of the train line is planned for 2029.