[ericmacm]

I have been keeping tabs from time to time on the Prairie Link website (private Calgary-Edmonton HSR proposal from EllisDon-AECOM consortium). The site has undergone some minor changes over the past year, but notably, they have apparently brought on/formed a company called Centricity in an advisory role that sounds like it will be working on some degree of project development. We still don’t know much about this project but there is evidently work going on behind the scenes.

I wonder if there is a chance that the feds/VIA/Alto could potentially support this proposal in the future. I know Alberta has previously expressed interest in cooperating in the past.

 

[SFO-YYZ]

I have been keeping tabs from time to time on the Prairie Link website (private Calgary-Edmonton HSR proposal from EllisDon-AECOM consortium). The site has undergone some minor changes over the past year, but notably, they have apparently brought on/formed a company called Centricity in an advisory role that sounds like it will be working on some degree of project development. We still don’t know much about this project but there is evidently work going on behind the scenes.

I wonder if there is a chance that the feds/VIA/Alto could potentially support this proposal in the future. I know Alberta has previously expressed interest in cooperating in the past.

Mark Carney and the libéral platform have repeatedly emphasized their support for « nation building » projects. Alto and Alberta’s passenger rail projects sound exactly like the kind of « nation building » projects that align with their électoral messaging. Of course, much remains to be seen on the Alberta front, but Alto phase 2 is signed and has commenced, so we may not hear much from Alto until signficant milestones have been reached in the co-development phase.

As for the élection results, my personal view is that it’s a fairly good outcome for the Alto and transit profile. Keep in mind that 3 months ago, the libérals were projected to win only 20-40 seats, which leaves a relatively bleak future for HSR and overall passenger rail funding. Today, it’s at 169 seats, borderline majority. They just need 3 votes from the NDP or the Bloc to push thru any public transit and rail funding initiative.

Myself à Montréal résident, I know that although Bloc tends to side with the conservatives on some issues, on the transit front, they are very clear: they want more passenger rail and transit funding for Québec cities. In fact, in their 2025 élection platform, the Bloc specifically asked for « unconditional no strings attached fédéral transportation funding for rail and other transit projects in Québec ». If that’s not a clear enough endorsement for Alto, I don’t know what is. Even if the conservatives win some near future élection and form a new minority government they will need to work with the Bloc to pass legislation and make compromises - sometimes i am extremely thankful for our parliamentary first part the post électoral système.

 

[lenaitch]

unconditional no strings attached fédéral transportation funding for rail and other transit projects in Québec

Perhaps if Quebec approached federal funding as a partnership rather than a shake-down things might work a little better.

I'm no fan of Alberta's approach, and make no claim to fully understanding the equalization formula, but I can appreciate Alberta's confusion with Quebec being considered a 'have-not' province.

 

[just east of the creek]

Perhaps if Quebec approached federal funding as a partnership rather than a shake-down things might work a little better.

I'm no fan of Alberta's approach, and make no claim to fully understanding the equalization formula, but I can appreciate Alberta's confusion with Quebec being considered a 'have-not' province.

Hmmm QC CAQ government...Auto Insurance debacle (ongoing) $1 billion plus, Northvolt $270 Million plus $200 million plus $240 million and on the hook for $2.9 billion in financing, Lion Electric (Busses) $50 million (but they are in CCAA and a group wishes to purchase for cents on the $, but only if the province gives them an interest free line of credit for $20 million), $217 Million (part) to finance carbon recycling in Varennes, Stornoway Diamond Mines $175 million (under CCAA protection) and then Sante Quebec (created to run the countries worst health care system) which is already creating a bloated bureaucracy, but contemplating reductions in service.....

Its very hard to take these people seriously (in other areas that are business related as well). There are some serious governance issues that are leaving the provincial taxpayer hanging out on the street corner while these clowns run around trying to ban "Go HABS Go' and other clownish efforts to rewrite history since the First Nations were the First Nations.

They can have their rail funding if the rest of the country gets trans provincial pipelines. That would be a deal that benefits all. Otherwise this 'have not' province might want to spend some time figuring out why they have a shortage of electrical power and explaining to the rest of the country why, although they have the second largest provincial population, and the have second largest share of the nations GDP by province, but also receive the largest share of equalization payments, and the provincial GDP per Capita is a -16% less then the countries average.

For a province awash in resources, people, unique gateways (ports etc) to trade, historical position economically, it's a mystery (well maybe not) how poorly the province fairs and how abysmal the record of government is.

 

[Allandale25]

Received this email update from HSR Canada where Alto is mentioned. Notes a webinar coming up.

High-Speed Rail Canada News - 04/30/2025 Update

In This Newsletter

Liberal Federal Election Win Danielle Smith's Rides Trains in Canada and Japan May 5th Complimentary Webinar on HSR in Canada May 29th-30th -Urban Transit Infrastructure Symposium, Eastern Canada - Toronto

Liberal Federal Election Win

Good news is the Liberal Party who campaigned on implementing the ALTO high-speed rail project for Ontario-Quebec, were elected. Now the Cadence consordium can move forward with ALTO can move forward on the next steps in the project. According to an ALTO press release March 21st, 2025 - (Alto and the Cadence team contract signed) The phase now beginning will confirm the route, obtain the necessary environmental permits and acquire the necessary land. It will also be used to pursue more concrete discussions with First Nations representatives and host communities. This work will enable the cost, financial structure and timetable for the project to be established. We will look closely at the relationship between ALTO and Cadence and the critical issue of the management of this project as it progresses.

Danielle Smith Rides Trains in Canada and Japan

The Alberta Passenger Rail Master Plan, expected to be completed by summer 2025, will include a 15-year delivery plan outlining the potential rollout of passenger rail services. It will also assess financial and governance models, system feasibility, and key implementation milestone. Danielle Smith went to Japan and had social media posts of her riding the Shinkansen. Back in Canada she was on the VIA Rail Venture trainsets between Ottawa and Montreal. Since Alberta has no passenger rail between their major cities, anything would be an improvement. However, her adversarial approach with Prime Minister Mark Carney, does little to advance the idea of federal funding for Alberta passenger rail. The Alberta government went from $5 billion surplus last year to $5 billion projected deficient this year. This suggests Premier Smith should have a more positive working relationship with the federal government if they have any hope of inter-city passenger rail in the province.

May 5th Complimentary Webinar on HSR in Canada

​ The Canadian Institute presents a Complimentary webinar - May 4th,2025, 2pm(est), 11am (pst) Charting the Future for High-Speed and Commuter Rail Corridors in Eastern and Western Canada Join Terry Johnson, President of Transport Action Canada and myself as we discuss all thing HSR in Canada. Questions from participants welcome! Here is the LINK to register.

 

[Bojaxs]

So what’s the faith of this project with the minority government ? May gain some momentum if Liberals can get the support of the BQ.

They don't need the BQ.

All they need is Elisabeth May and two NDP votes.

 

[crs1026]

The BQ voting in favour of rail construction in Quebec is pretty much a given.

- Paul

 

[Urban Sky]

They don't need the BQ.

All they need is Elisabeth May and two NDP votes.

Without wanting to venture further into political territory, but a party fighting for their own survival is the least dependable kind of allies to prop up your near-majority, as they simply can’t afford to commit to the painful compromises which being the sidekick of a government entails (and might alienate its most loyal voters, which deliberately chose them over the Liberals) - and even less to credibly threaten to trigger a new election when it would almost certainly bankrupt whatever remains from their party after this week’s election. I seriously don’t see what the NDP could possibly gain by supporting Carney’s agenda*, as much as I sympathize with both (and could vote for neither, as a non-citizen experiencing “taxation without representation”)…

*Edit to add: I absolutely do believe the NDP is highly supportive of ALTO and this might very well be a government priority they will happily support, even after Taylor Bachrach (one of the last parliament’s staunchest supporters of passenger rail in this country unfortunately and very regrettably lost his seat). I just don’t think that the Liberals will want to rely on their votes for anything and that’s where the BQ is the much safer bet to form a somewhat stable and smooth government…

 

[micheal_can]

Without wanting to venture further into political territory, but a party fighting for their own survival is the least dependable kind of allies to prop up your near-majority, as they simply can’t afford to commit to the painful compromises which being the sidekick of a government entails (and might alienate its most loyal voters, which deliberately chose them over the Liberals) - and even less to credibly threaten to trigger a new election when it would almost certainly bankrupt whatever remains from their party after this week’s election. I seriously don’t see what the NDP could possibly gain by supporting Carney’s agenda, as much as I sympathize with both…

They gain time to fund raise and build back up.
The BQ will support this project due to it going though Quebec and being good for Quebec.
The NDP will support it because they cannot afford an election any time soon.

So, without diving much into politics, there is no reason this won't survive till the next election.

 

[SFO-YYZ]

Hmmm QC CAQ government...Auto Insurance debacle (ongoing) $1 billion plus, Northvolt $270 Million plus $200 million plus $240 million and on the hook for $2.9 billion in financing, Lion Electric (Busses) $50 million (but they are in CCAA and a group wishes to purchase for cents on the $, but only if the province gives them an interest free line of credit for $20 million), $217 Million (part) to finance carbon recycling in Varennes, Stornoway Diamond Mines $175 million (under CCAA protection) and then Sante Quebec (created to run the countries worst health care system) which is already creating a bloated bureaucracy, but contemplating reductions in service.....

Its very hard to take these people seriously (in other areas that are business related as well). There are some serious governance issues that are leaving the provincial taxpayer hanging out on the street corner while these clowns run around trying to ban "Go HABS Go' and other clownish efforts to rewrite history since the First Nations were the First Nations.

They can have their rail funding if the rest of the country gets trans provincial pipelines. That would be a deal that benefits all. Otherwise this 'have not' province might want to spend some time figuring out why they have a shortage of electrical power and explaining to the rest of the country why, although they have the second largest provincial population, and the have second largest share of the nations GDP by province, but also receive the largest share of equalization payments, and the provincial GDP per Capita is a -16% less then the countries average.

For a province awash in resources, people, unique gateways (ports etc) to trade, historical position economically, it's a mystery (well maybe not) how poorly the province fairs and how abysmal the record of government is.

Are we really digging up and rehashing this age-old Anglo-Canada vs. Québec “holier than thou” debate again? All of your critiques of Québec are valid, but this just feels so…. 90s, like a rehash of all the old Anglo-Canadian grievances towards Quebec from a bygone era. If you replace the words “Quebec” and “CAQ” with “Canada” and “Liberal” in your post, it would almost sound like a word-for-word speech from Danielle Smith …. Just saying.

Like, can we get over these décades old partisan stereotypes and get back to transit and transportation in 2025? The élection is over, Alto Phase 2 is signed and moving ahead, and we now have an overall stable government that is actually supportive of passsenger rail transit. The Bloc, NDP, and Liberals all seem to be on board and on the same page on the Alto file. I don’t know about you guys, but I take that as a win.

 

[nfitz]

Without wanting to venture further into political territory, but a party fighting for their own survival is the least dependable kind of allies to prop up your near-majority, as they simply can’t afford to commit to the painful compromises which being the sidekick of a government entails (and might alienate its most loyal voters, which deliberately chose them over the Liberals) - and even less to credibly threaten to trigger a new election when it would almost certainly bankrupt whatever remains from their party after this week’s election. I seriously don’t see what the NDP could possibly gain by supporting Carney’s agenda*, as much as I sympathize with both (and could vote for neither, as a non-citizen experiencing “taxation without representation”)…

They won't make a signed deal - but they won't vote against the government. They can't afford another election.

Vote-by-vote support for a minority government has worked well for the last century or so during minority governments. The signed deal last term was almost unprecedented.

Anyhow, there won't be much to support by any party until 2030 or so. So that's after at least one more election.

 

[Woodbridge_Heights]

NDP won one seat in all of ONT/PQ and it's in Montreal. That person could reasonably support Alto on the basis that it benefits their constituents (and argue that it is issue that has party support). But Carney would need at least 2 more votes to get the project approved which probably would be a Bloq vote.

 

[Bojaxs]

NDP won one seat in all of ONT/PQ and it's in Montreal. That person could reasonably support Alto on the basis that it benefits their constituents (and argue that it is issue that has party support). But Carney would need at least 2 more votes to get the project approved which probably would be a Bloq vote.

I don't want to drag this thread towards politics.

It is not in the interest of the Liberals to attempt to broker a deal with the BQ. Even if the BQ supports Alto/HSR, they won't vote with the Liberals unless concessions are made for Quebec. That's the whole reason the BQ exists. To "hold the balance of power" and force the ruling party to come to them.

"Yes, we support HSR, but first you have to give Quebec ...... . You came to us, we didn't come to you."

Elisabeth May of the Greens will support Alto. So the Liberals only need two votes from the NDP.

 

[nfitz]

I don't want to drag this thread towards politics.

It is not in the interest of the Liberals to attempt to broker a deal with the BQ. Even if the BQ supports Alto/HSR, they won't vote with the Liberals unless concessions are made for Quebec. That's the whole reason the BQ exists. To "hold the balance of power" and force the ruling party to come to them.

"Yes, we support HSR, but first you have to give Quebec ...... . You came to us, we didn't come to you."

Elisabeth May of the Greens will support Alto. So the Liberals only need two votes from the NDP.

What vote on this are you all anticipating in the next 4 years?

 

[north-of-anything]

What vote on this are you all anticipating in the next 4 years?

I think people are just hungry for updates on this project considering its scale and importance... which is exactly why I wouldn't expect any news on it until the first budget is announced.