Shaping Canada’s Future with High-Speed Rail
Alto is leading one of the largestinfrastructure projects in Canada: ahigh-speed rail network that will stretch
nearly 1,000 km across Ontario and Québec. Trains will travel 300 km/h or more, offering a faster, cleaner way to move between cities.
The network will connect Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval, Trois-Rivières, and Québec City, linking communities across the most populated corridor in the country. The project aims to address long-standing travel challenges like high costs, limited capacity, and poor connectivity.
Working Together with Indigenous Communities
Alto is committed to working with Indigenous communities to develop and build the network. Guided by its four pillars, Alto aims to advance reconciliation by:
- Building meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, and institutions.
- Fulfilling the constitutional duty to consult, and, where appropriate, accommodate, with the aim of securing free, prior, and informed consent.
- Creating mutually beneficial socio-economic opportunities with Indigenous Peoples and communities, including procurement and employment related to the network.
- Ensuring financial and legacy participation by developing co-designed proposals that promote economic benefits and the long-term participation of Indigenous communities.
Project outcomes
Increase
significantly intercity rail passengers
Make
travel between communities safer
Enhance
the experience for passengers travelling in the Corridor
Minimize
financial costs to the public, including Indigenous communities
Provide
environmental benefits that support Canada’s net-zero commitment
Advance
the Government of Canada’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
Expand
access to affordable and accessible transportation for all, including persons with disabilities and underserved communities
Project Development Phases
The corridor for the High-Speed Rail Network is still being determined. Alto is reviewing technical studies, environmental assessments, and community engagement activities, including direct input from Indigenous communities, to help shape the path forward.
See the different steps and how Indigenous communities and organizations will be involved:
Procurement
Select a co-development partner.
Build relationships with Indigenous communities, while identifying opportunities for socio-economic benefits and economic participation.
Development and pre-construction
Design the high-speed train.
Fulfill the duty to consult, continue identifying and begin implementing economic opportunities, and ensure the integration of Indigenous cultural elements into the project design.
Execution
Build and operate the high-speed train.
Continue consultation while implementing accommodation measures and delivering socio-economic benefits and options for economic participation.
Strengthen economic and environmental growth
The high-speed rail project will deliver long-term environmental and economic growth, while creating lasting benefits for Indigenous communities.
Environmental benefits
- Contributes to Canada’s net-zero commitments.
- Reduces millions of car trips and short-haul flights, reducing emissions and providing a low-impact alternative for future generations
Economic impact
- Improves access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for Indigenous communities by enhancing connectivity between cities and communities
- Creates opportunities for Indigenous workers, businesses, and communities to participate meaningfully in the project’s planning and delivery.
Opportunities for Indigenous Communities
Alto is exploring ways for Indigenous communities to be involved in all phases of the high-speed rail project. These include:
- Planning and development: Indigenous individuals and organizations may contribute to station design and environmental assessments.
- Construction, operations, and maintenance: There will be roles in structural, railway, and building works, as well as opportunities in long-term operations and maintenance.
- Economic development: Indigenous businesses will be encouraged to participate in procurement and contracting processes to help meet the project’s service and delivery needs.
Additionally, there are opportunities to participate in the Network’s development stage:
- Impact assessment: Indigenous participation and feedback is essential to identifying and mitigating potential impacts on the exercise of Aboriginal and Treaty rights and interests.
- Field studies work: Alto is currently gathering baseline data and designing a field study program to support the project assessment process. Indigenous communities are encouraged to participate in this process.
- Funding: Financial support is available to eligible Indigenous communities to assist with participation in engagement and consultation activities related to the project
| Route | Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Toronto—Ottawa | ~2h |
| Toronto—Montréal | ~3h |
| Ottawa—Montréal | ~1h |
| Montréal—Québec City | ~1h30 |