The leader of the Parti Québécois has announced that if his party wins the election, they will oppose Quebec’s involvement in the high-speed rail project connecting Quebec City to Toronto. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon argued that the project does not cater to the transportation needs of Quebec residents. He emphasized that the primary issue lies in improving local commuting within cities rather than facilitating travel to Toronto.
The construction’s initial phase, linking Montreal to Ottawa, is set to commence in 2029. Alto, the entity spearheading the initiative, plans to establish a 1,000-kilometre electric rail line with an estimated cost ranging between $60 billion and $90 billion. The high-speed rail network aims to reduce travel time between Montreal and Toronto to three hours, offering faster transportation than Via Rail’s current services. Additionally, stops are planned in Peterborough, Ottawa, Laval, and Trois-Rivières.
Questions have been raised about the cost estimates, with the Bloc Québécois projecting a potential price tag of $200 billion. Concerns were raised by St-Pierre Plamondon regarding Quebec’s financial contribution to the project, which could amount to $40 billion. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon highlighted the project’s significance in connecting Quebec’s major cities, emphasizing its role as a crucial transportation infrastructure.
St-Pierre Plamondon criticized the rail project, expressing doubts about its impact on road traffic and warning against potential financial risks. He proposed redirecting the allocated funds towards essential local infrastructure like roads, hospitals, schools, and urban public transit. The statement also criticized the federal government’s handling of the route planning, citing concerns about transparency in consultations and apprehensions among residents and farmers regarding potential expropriation.
Despite opposition from the Parti Québécois, municipal leaders in Quebec, including Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada and Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer, have voiced support for the high-speed rail project, emphasizing its positive impact on the economy, environment, and mobility. Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand highlighted the project’s potential to enhance connectivity with major economic hubs and stressed the importance of advancing infrastructure development.
Farmers from regions such as Outaouais and Laurentides have planned protests outside Parliament to oppose the project. Alto has committed to prioritizing negotiated agreements over expropriation, ensuring fair compensation for affected landowners and maintaining road access for farms. The Parti Québécois currently leads in pre-election polls ahead of Quebec’s upcoming provincial election on October 5.
