The group behind Canada’s first high-speed train service for the Toronto-Quebec City route will be in Pickering on Thursday. This event is part of a series of open houses and virtual meetings aimed at the service, which is projected to bring in as many as 24 million passengers each year by 2055.
Alto, the crown corporation responsible for constructing the high-speed rail line, will set up at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex from 11 a. m. to 5 p. m. Residents are encouraged to connect with the Alto team, share their thoughts, and contribute to shaping this new rail network.
Alto previously held sessions at St. Lawrence Market in Toronto on February 4 and 5, attracting nearly 200 attendees during the first afternoon meeting. The team is also scheduled to visit Scarborough on Tuesday and Markham on Wednesday as part of a total of 26 open houses and up to 10 virtual sessions designed for gathering public feedback.
Peter Paz, Alto’s senior director for public and government relations in Ontario, mentioned that there has been an “incredible response” from the community. He noted that while many people are enthusiastic about the project, some have concerns regarding costs (with $3.9 billion in federal funding already allocated) and the proposed starting location in Toronto.
“Union is our preferred location; 300,000 people pass through Union Station every day,” Paz stated. “However, we recognize there are challenges-construction issues and congestion problems-so if not Union itself, we’re aiming for a site as close as possible.”
The study corridor’s width of 10 kilometers has raised some questions among residents. However, Paz expressed that they want public input on environmental concerns like floodplains and landmarks that should be avoided before finalizing the rail path corridor.
In contrast to traditional rail services such as VIA Rail or GO trains, high-speed trains can reach speeds of up to 315 kilometers per hour and must operate along a straight track.
“The launch of public consultations is an important milestone for the Alto High-Speed Rail project. By engaging Canadians early, and by working in partnership with Indigenous communities, we are ensuring this project is shaped by local knowledge, environmental responsibility, and shared priorities,” said federal Transport Minister Steven Mac Kinnon. “This work will help lay the foundation for a modern transportation network that creates good jobs, supports economic growth, strengthens regional connections, and delivers lasting benefits for communities along the corridor.”
The discussions started through these public consultations will continue as Alto progresses with plans alongside Indigenous communities, municipalities, and other public entities while also considering both rural and urban perspectives-including those of landowners and farmers.
Input collected during these consultations will inform how the rail network aligns which is set to be determined later in 2026. A second round of consultation will follow to review and refine this proposed alignment.
This initiative includes stations located in Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval, Trois-Rivières, and Québec City-aiming to connect millions of Canadians living within one of Canada’s most populated corridors that holds half of its population.
The high-speed line represents Canada’s largest public infrastructure project in recent history.
Construction on its initial segment connecting Ottawa to Montreal is expected to kick off between 2029 or 2030. There’ll be staggered construction phases so work on other sections could begin before completing this first segment. A final completion date has yet to be established.
You can find more details about these public consultations at their dedicated portal – Shaping the Canada of tomorrow with high-speed rail | Alto Project – which includes a full schedule of open houses across Ontario and Quebec until March along with an interactive map detailing the rail corridor.
With files from Karen Longwell
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In contrast to traditional rail services such as VIA Rail or GO trains, high-speed trains can reach speeds of up to 315 kilometers per hour and must operate along a straight track.
“The launch of public consultations is an important milestone for the Alto High-Speed Rail project. By engaging Canadians early, and by working in partnership with Indigenous communities, we are ensuring this project is shaped by local knowledge, environmental responsibility, and shared priorities,” said federal Transport Minister Steven Mac Kinnon. “This work will help lay the foundation for a modern transportation network that creates good jobs, supports economic growth, strengthens regional connections, and delivers lasting benefits for communities along the corridor.”
The discussions started through these public consultations will continue as Alto progresses with plans alongside Indigenous communities, municipalities, and other public entities while also considering both rural and urban perspectives-including those of landowners and farmers.
Input collected during these consultations will inform how the rail network aligns which is set to be determined later in 2026. A second round of consultation will follow to review and refine this proposed alignment.
This initiative includes stations located in Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval, Trois-Rivières, and Québec City-aiming to connect millions of Canadians living within one of Canada’s most populated corridors that holds half of its population.
The high-speed line represents Canada’s largest public infrastructure project in recent history.
Construction on its initial segment connecting Ottawa to Montreal is expected to kick off between 2029 or 2030. There’ll be staggered construction phases so work on other sections could begin before completing this first segment. A final completion date has yet to be established.
You can find more details about these public consultations at their dedicated portal – Shaping the Canada of tomorrow with high-speed rail | Alto Project – which includes a full schedule of open houses across Ontario and Quebec until March along with an interactive map detailing the rail corridor.
With files from Karen Longwell
INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
Last 30 Days: 33,785 Votes
All Time: 1,262453 Votes
285 VOTES
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