The leader of the Parti Québécois has stated that if his party wins the election, they will oppose Quebec’s involvement in the proposed high-speed rail project connecting Quebec City to Toronto. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon emphasized that the current project does not cater to the transportation needs of Quebec residents. He highlighted the importance of improving intra-city transit over long-distance connections in a written statement in French.
The initial phase of the high-speed rail project, which aims to link Montreal to Ottawa, is set to commence in 2029. The project, overseen by Alto, envisions a 1,000-kilometer electric rail line between Toronto and Quebec City, with estimated costs ranging from $60 to $90 billion. The new rail network aims to reduce travel time from Montreal to Toronto to three hours, offering faster and more efficient commuting options compared to current Via Rail services. The route includes stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Laval, and Trois-Rivières.
Concerns have been raised about the project’s estimated costs, with St-Pierre Plamondon expressing worries that the expenses could surpass projections, citing a Bloc Québécois estimate of $200 billion. This could potentially lead to Quebec contributing $40 billion, equivalent to its federal revenue share, as per the party’s assessment. The Bloc’s estimate was referenced from a previous Journal de Montréal article that highlighted the tendency of large-scale projects to exceed budgets.
In response to criticisms, Canada’s Minister of Industry, Mélanie Joly, clarified that the federal government is the primary financial contributor to the project. The Transport Minister, Steven MacKinnon, defended the initiative, emphasizing its significance in connecting Quebec’s major cities and enhancing mobility within the province.
Despite opposition from the Parti Québécois, local leaders in Quebec, including Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer, and Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand, have voiced support for the high-speed rail project. They believe it will have positive impacts on the economy, environment, and overall mobility in the region.
St-Pierre Plamondon’s party advocates for prioritizing investments in local infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, schools, and urban public transit over the high-speed rail project. The party criticizes the federal government’s handling of the project’s planning process, citing concerns about transparency in consultations and potential expropriation issues for residents and farmers along the route.
Farmers from the Outaouais and Laurentides regions are planning a protest outside Parliament to voice their opposition to the high-speed rail project. Alto has assured that it will prioritize negotiated agreements over expropriation and provide fair compensation to affected landowners. The Parti Québécois is currently leading in the polls ahead of Quebec’s upcoming provincial election on October 5.