High-Speed Rail in Canada: The Time Has Come

Is the Wait for High-Speed Rail in Canada Finally Over!

Will the decades of false hopes finally be over, and we finally see high-speed rail in Canada? Twenty-five studies and 40 years of federal government politicians have come and gone, and no action has been taken.


I remember in 2009 when I went to Ottawa to speak at the Canadian Government Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure, and Communities hearings on high-speed rail in Canada. I also went to Alberta to promote the Edmonton-Calgary high-speed rail proposal. Sadly, the events of 2009 did not differ from those before and after. Now, perhaps the time has come for high-speed rail in our country.


I admit I was more than skeptical about this plan when former VIA Rail CEO Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, now a Siemens Canada employee, first promoted the idea of high-frequency trains at traditional speeds. Desjardins-Siciliano continues to promote their Venture trains for the proposed high-frequency rail line, regardless of the reality that people want more than just frequent service at slow speeds.

HFR President Martin Imbleau

VIA HFR Inc., Crown Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Martin Imbleau, has stated in the media that he understands that to get people on the trains, a substantial reduction in trip times was an important factor, as was reliability and frequency.

Current Situation: Toronto-Montreal

The current situation with VIA Rail operating trains on mostly CN rail lines between Toronto and Montreal, on average with a 1 hour slower trip time than the 1970s, desperately needs a solution.


For Canadian passenger trains along this new corridor to have their own track with frequent high-speed service would be a dream come to true. This is something many other countries in the world take for granted.


It cannot be overstated; that VIA Rail passenger rail service is severely hampered by running on CN Rail track and not being given priority. With no priority on CN’s track, they are merely an afterthought in how CN runs their business. The new high-speed rail line with a mainly dedicated track for passenger trains will be a welcome relief from the current reality.

CBC Reports High-Speed Trains of 300 km/h

A recent CBC report states for the first time that the project will include high-speed trains up to 300 km/h. Transport Canada, the Project Authority on behalf of the Minister of Transport, will announce the name of the winning consortia, and a new corporate name to replace the current VIA HFR Inc. one.

The Federal Conservative Party and High-Speed Rail

No political party has implemented high-speed rail in Canada in the past. If the Trudeau Liberals do not form the next government, will the Conservative Party kill the plan? One hopeful sign is that at the last Conservative Party convention they passed a policy resolution in favor of high-speed rail.


Unfortunately, the leader of the party, Pierre Poilievre, is not bound by what the party faithful wants. In fact, on September 6th, 2023, Poilievre stated to the media, “Leaders are 'never bound' by Conservative party members' policy ideas.”.

How about the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor?

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, in April 2024, outlined her party's Passenger Rail Master plan. It included reviving the Edmonton-Calgary passenger rail corridor. Could this plan now include high-speed rail between the cities?


There are many challenges ahead, including funding and the critical decision of what consortia wins the opportunity to build and operate the new high-speed rail line.


The bottom line is that this upcoming high-speed rail project will be an opportunity for Canada to have a modern passenger rail that will benefit Canadians for generations to come. It may also kick-start passenger rail renewal in other parts of the country.


The time has come, and Canadians should jump on board and support this initiative.


Paul Langan


Founder High-Speed Rail Canada