A project grounded in a comprehensive body of research
Explore the studies, technical analyses, reports, and discussion papers prepared by Alto’s team, commissioned from external experts, or produced independently by third parties. Collectively, these materials document the evidence base supporting the project. Each piece is presented with attribution to ensure transparency regarding its origin, methodology, and scope, providing readers with a clear understanding of the assumptions and perspectives that inform Alto’s development.
More studies to come as the project develops.
Featured Research
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Canada’s Moment - The Economic Opportunity of High-Speed Rail
Understand how high-speed rail could strengthen economic connectivity in the Toronto–Québec City corridor and generate long-term benefits for Canadians.
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An Overview of the Structural Economic Impacts of Alto
Find out how Alto will reshape Canada’s economy.
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Tourism in the Toronto-Québec City Corridor
Discover how Alto can increase tourism, boosting the country’s annual GDP by $1B and supporting thousands of jobs.
All Studies
This reference document details Alto’s analysis of the anticipated economic and strategic value of high-speed rail in the Toronto–Québec City corridor. It explains why stronger connectivity between the major cities of the corridor is critical to Canada's economic competitiveness, demonstrates how high-speed rail has transformed regional economies around the world, and outlines the potential benefits of increased mobility for citizens and businesses.
The study finds that the stronger connectivity between the corridor’s major cities afforded by the high-speed rail network could unlock significant economic opportunities, including an estimated permanent uplift of $24.5 billion to Canada’s GDP. Forecasts indicate that the network will create more than 50,000 jobs during its construction, generate up to $49.5 billion in benefits for travelers and communities over its first 60 years of operation, and will serve up to 24 million passengers annually by 2055.
The report was prepared by Alto's Strategic Policy, Environment and Partnerships team.
Current Conditions and Potential Impacts
This report examines and assesses how high-speed rail could affect visitor activity and economic outcomes. It combines a baseline profile of tourism in the Toronto–Québec City metropolitan areas with international case study evidence to develop high-level scenarios of Alto’s potential impacts. With appropriate coordination between municipalities, regional authorities, tourism boards and tourism-related firms, increased tourism spending resulting from Alto could contribute $1 billion to the Canada’s annual GDP, supporting 11,500 additional jobs.
The report was prepared by CPCS Transcom Inc. on behalf of Alto. CPCS is a global, independent, employee-owned management consulting group specializing in major projects, transportation, energy, and infrastructure. They provide the public and private sectors with insights, clarity, and structure to plan, fund, and deliver projects that create lasting economic and social value. Their services span analytical, economics, commercial, financial, legal, policy, operational, regulatory, governance, policy, and regulatory expertise.
Computable General Equilibrium Modelling Approach to Assessing High-Speed Rail in the Toronto–Québec City Corridor
This report assesses the structural economic and fiscal impacts of implementing a high-speed rail service in the Québec City–Toronto corridor. It focuses on the long-term effects that could transform the Canadian economy in a lasting way. The approach uses a computable general equilibrium model of Canada, an analytical framework recognized and widely used by governments and international organizations to analyze the systemic effects of economic shocks. This model estimates the impacts of the structural effects associated with rail projects, particularly in terms of productivity, the labour supply, and tourism. The analysis concludes that Alto will permanently uplift Canada’s GDP by 1.1%.
The report was prepared by Aviseo Conseil on behalf of Alto. Aviseo Conseil is an independent consulting firm based in Québec, specializing in strategy and economics. It supports private, public, and parapublic organizations in addressing planning, decision-making, and transformation challenges, drawing on economic, sectoral, and organizational analysis. Its work includes economic impact studies, market analysis, and the development and implementation of strategies, often in areas related to competitiveness, innovation, and broader economic transitions.
This report examines the economic benefits associated with improving passenger rail services in the Toronto–Québec City corridor. It finds that enhanced rail service could generate substantial long-term economic, environmental, and social benefits, including travel time savings for users, reduced road congestion, productivity gains from improved connectivity, and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Cumulative benefits are estimated between $11 and $27 billion in present value terms over a 60-year period. The study highlights that delaying or foregoing investment would entail significant opportunity costs for the Canadian economy.
The report was prepared by the C.D. Howe Institute on behalf of Alto. The C.D. Howe Institute is a registered charity, and an independent not-for-profit research institute whose mission is to raise Canadians’ living standards by fostering economically sound public policies. Widely considered to be Canada’s most influential think tank, the Institute is a source of trusted policy intelligence, distinguished by research that is nonpartisan, evidence-based and subject to definitive expert review.
Potential Freight Benefits of Alto
This report examines capacity, performance, system efficiency, and highlights the operational constraints of the current shared rail (passenger and freight) along the Québec City–Toronto. The analysis underscores the economic importance of freight rail in the corridor and finds that the introduction of dedicated high-speed rail could relieve capacity pressures by reducing passenger traffic on shared lines.
The report was prepared by CPCS Transcom Inc. on behalf of Alto. CPCS is a global, independent, employee-owned management consulting group specializing in major projects, transportation, energy, and infrastructure. They provide the public and private sectors with insights, clarity, and structure to plan, fund, and deliver projects that create lasting economic and social value. Their services span analytical, economics, commercial, financial, legal, policy, operational, regulatory, governance, policy, and regulatory expertise.