Major project
Alto High-Speed Rail
Also called Alto, Alto High-Speed Rail Project, VIA HFR, Toronto - Quebec City High Speed Rail
Proponent: Alto (formerly VIA HFR), federal Crown corporation.
Major Projects Office pageWhy it is listed
Federal proponent. Federal proponent: Alto (formerly VIA HFR), federal Crown corporation
In November 2022, the Government of Canada created a Crown corporation, VIA HFR (now Alto), to provide oversight of this project.Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
ProponentIn November 2022, the Government of Canada created a Crown corporation, VIA HFR (now Alto), to provide oversight of this project.Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
Status
Alto will be undertaking a second round of consultations in 2026 to gather feedback to finalize the route and outline the next steps of the project.Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
Roadmap
- Done
- Not yet reached
Referred to Major Projects OfficeDone
Sept. 11, 2025
On September 11, 2025, the transformative strategy was referred to the Major Projects Office (MPO).
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026Ottawa-Montreal chosen as first segmentDone
About 3 months after the previous step.
Dec. 2025
In December 2025, the Minister of Transport announced that the first segment of the Alto High-Speed Rail Project will run between Ottawa and Montreal
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026Public engagement campaign launchedDone
About 1 month after the previous step.
Jan. 2026
In January 2026, Alto launched its public engagement campaign
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026Accelerating legislation (Bill C-15) receives Royal AssentDone
About 3 months after the previous step.
March 26, 2026
Today, Bill C-15, the Budget Implementation Act, 2025, No. 1, received Royal Assent.
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026Impact assessment of each segmentNot yet reached
Time from the previous step is not stated.
Date not stated. Not estimated: fewer than five projects date both this step and the previous one.
Each segment will undergo an impact assessment under the Impact Assessment Act.
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026Construction of Ottawa-Montreal segment to beginNot yet reached
Time from the previous step is not stated.
2029
Construction of the Ottawa-Montreal segment is expected to begin in 2029.
Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
Funding
- $3.9 billion Funding
No over-budget estimate. These are the commitments the official pages state. None is an original budget set beside a later cost for the same work.
FundingCanada’s investment in the co-development phase of the project represents $3.9 billion over six years, starting in 2024-25.Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
Laws named in the sources
Impact Assessment Act
Each segment will undergo an impact assessment under the Impact Assessment Act.Source, read Oct. 3, 2026
Budget Implementation Act, 2025, No. 1
Accelerating the path to construction of Alto High-Speed Rail, Canada’s first high-speed railwaySource, read Oct. 3, 2026
Bills
No bill in the database names this project, or an act it is listed or considered under.
The framework law for the major projects list is below. It does not name this project.
Sources
- Major Projects Office page for this project
- Full speed ahead: Ottawa–Montreal chosen as starting point for Alto High-Speed Rail - Canada.caRead Oct. 3, 2026
- Canada is getting high-speed rail | Prime Minister of CanadaRead Oct. 3, 2026
- Legislation passes to implement Budget 2025: Canada Strong - Canada.caRead Oct. 3, 2026
- Prime Minister Carney announces first projects to be reviewed by the new Major Projects Office | Prime Minister of CanadaRead Oct. 3, 2026
- Canada and Alberta to collaborate on High-Speed Rail - Canada.caRead Oct. 3, 2026
- Major Projects OfficeThe office list this project is drawn from.