The federal government is pushing ahead with its ambitious Alto high-speed rail project, pledging new legislation to speed up approvals and break ground within four years on a route that will connect Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City.
Unveiled in Budget 2025, the legislation aims to streamline regulatory hurdles and provide greater clarity for investors and builders as Canada moves toward its first true high-speed passenger rail network. The trains are expected to reach speeds of up to 300 kilometres per hour, cutting travel time between Montreal and Toronto to just three hours.
Prime Minister Mark Carney first announced plans in September to accelerate engineering and environmental work on the project, promising that the new measures would turn years of planning into tangible progress.
The budget also confirms that Alto will fall under the government’s new “Buy Canadian Policy,” which prioritizes domestic suppliers and materials in major infrastructure projects — a move aimed at boosting Canadian manufacturing and job creation.
According to federal projections, the high-speed rail line will serve primarily students, professionals, and middle-income households, offering a faster, greener, and more affordable alternative to short-haul flights and highway travel.
With the new legislative push, Ottawa hopes to transform one of Canada’s most densely populated corridors into a high-speed rail hub — a long-awaited step toward modernizing the nation’s transportation future.