What’s Coming Up?
Alto finalized a formal agreement with the selected private partner and launched the development phase.
- Consultations with stakeholders, municipalities and Indigenous communities will be held. We are keen to hear from those who have an interest in the project. We wish to build and sustain effective relationships based on mutual respect and trust.
- Technical design will start. So will the impact assessment. At this time, no specific alignment is secured and the project scope remains to be defined.
- The development phase is expected to last around 5 years. The overall project duration will significantly depend on the completion of the Impact Assessment, which is the critical path.
Construction could begin following government approval, once cost estimates have been refined and regulatory approvals obtained.
- We will use a progressive network approach. This means that Alto will be made up of different phases which, together, form a vast network.
- Although it's too early to confirm any project timetable, we can expect each phase to take between 5 and 7 years to build.
- Existing intercity passenger rail services would be maintained, optimized and integrated within the expanded intercity passenger rail operations.
This collaborative approach between Alto and Cadence will ensure that both parties work together to optimize the rail network’s design, making the most of the expertise and innovation while maintaining public oversight and alignment with national objectives.
Alto and Cadence, the chosen developer, have reached a key milestone with a signed contract, advancing the High-Speed Rail Network between Toronto and Québec City. This marks the start of the crucial design and development phase for the ambitious project, first announced by the Government of Canada on February 19, 2025, and a major step in enhancing national mobility.
The Government of Canada announced Cadence as the selected consortium that will work with Alto to develop the Toronto–Québec City high-speed rail project, confirming funding for this phase. This marks a key milestone for the country's largest infrastructure project. To consult the Government press release
The response from stakeholders has been building steadily. Over the course of the past months, key organizations along the Corridor have publicly communicated their call to action for this project, including: Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Consider Canada, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, Alliance touristique du Québec, Ottawa Board of Trade, The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montréal, Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Québec, Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Trois-Rivières.
Three consortia pre-qualified in the fall of 2023 (bidding teams) submitted their proposals. The next phase involves evaluating the submission to select the Private Developer Partner who will collaborate with Alto throughout the entire project.
In June, Alto planned to host collaborative planning workshops for the 2024 field study program with Ontario Indigenous Nations.
The 2024 Field Study program, launched in April, runs through December, examining air quality, wildlife, noise, and water. These studies provide key data to guide project decisions and protection measures. Alto also engaged Indigenous Peoples, whose insights are vital to shaping project plans.
On March 19, Alto CEO Martin Imbleau shared the vision for the Québec City–Toronto rapid passenger rail project with the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Québec (CCIQ).
On February 20, Alto CEO Martin Imbleau presented the evolving Québec City–Toronto rapid rail project to the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montréal (CCMM), now backed by a new federal Crown corporation. Introductory meetings between Indigenous Nations and bidders occurred from February 19 to 27 in Montréal, Ottawa, and Toronto.
On December 5-6, Alto hosted collaborative planning workshops for the 2024 Field Study program with Québec Indigenous Nations. These workshops took place in Montréal, Québec.
In November, Alto CEO Martin Imbleau highlighted the transformative impact of the Toronto–Québec City rail project. He presented its benefits at the Mayor’s Breakfast in Peterborough, the Rail Symposium on Safety & Climate Resiliency, and the NRD23 conference. Imbleau also met with Perrin Beatty, CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the project's role in boosting transportation and economic growth.
On October 13, the Government of Canada issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a private sector partner to refine the Alto project before making a final investment decision.
On July 31, the Board of Directors announced Martin Imbleau as the new CEO. After a global search, he officially assumed the role on September 8.
Between April and November, Alto planners conducted a series of preliminary field studies for the project, including studies on noise and vibration, fish and fish habitat, wildlife tracking, air quality and water.
On March 30, Alto’s Chair, Rob Prichard, addressed the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s Transportation Symposium, highlighting the project's vision, necessity, and upcoming developments.
On February 17, the Government of Canada launched a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), closing on April 24, 2023. By July 20, three bidding teams were selected to compete for a partnership to refine the project in 2024. Learn More,
On February 23, Alto met with Mayors Shawn Pankow (Smiths Falls) and Genevieve Lajoie (Casselman) to share updates on the Toronto–Québec City rail project, designed to offer fast, frequent, and reliable service connecting communities
In December, the Minister of Transport established VIA HFR, a VIA Rail subsidiary, to advance High Frequency Rail, appointing three board members. Earlier in the fall, Alto expanded its expertise by appointing three professionals for project planning.
On March 9, the Government of Canada launched the Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) to support Alto’s multi-year procurement process, seeking private sector input on its design, construction, financing, and operation. Responses were submitted by May 31, informing next steps in procurement following an October 31 market update.
In 2022, Alto conducted further field studies on environmental factors, including noise, air quality, water, and wildlife tracking.
On July 6, the Government of Canada announced the first steps in preparing for the procurement process to build a new train service from Toronto to Québec City.
These steps included:
- Engaging Indigenous Peoples and communities to obtain feedback on the project.
- Engaging with the private sector to determine capacity and seek perspectives on the best possible delivery model. The Government of Canada plans to finalize the delivery model and launch the process to select a private partner.
- Accelerating dialogue with partner railways to negotiate dedicated routes and, where necessary, shared access in and out of city centres.
In 2020, Alto planners conducted the first series of preliminary field studies for the project, including studies on noise and vibration, fish and fish habitat, wildlife tracking, air quality and water.
In 2019, the Government of Canada granted funding for and established a Joint Project Office (JPO) as a joint venture between the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and VIA Rail to conduct de-risking, due diligence, pre-procurement and planning activities; to explore and analyze operating models; and to develop evidence-based options of procurement and financing for the Alto project. The JPO oversaw the Alto project through to the end of 2021.
VIA Rail put forward the concept of the construction of Alto between Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal and Québec City.