Pickering will host a High-speed train Pickering open house this Thursday for Canada’s first high-speed rail service, part of the Toronto-Quebec City corridor project. Residents can meet the Alto team, share their ideas, and contribute to shaping the project.
The project is expected to attract as many as 24 million passengers annually by 2055. Residents are encouraged to attend, meet the Alto team, and share their thoughts on the development of this massive infrastructure project.
Alto previously held open houses at St. Lawrence Market in Toronto on February 4 and 5, attracting nearly 200 attendees. Additional open houses are planned in Scarborough and Markham, as well as up to 10 virtual sessions for feedback.
The project, which has already secured $3.9 billion in federal funding, has garnered excitement from many, although concerns about costs and construction challenges persist, particularly regarding the starting point at Toronto’s Union Station. Alto’s senior director for public and government relations in Ontario, Peter Paz, said their goal is to make the station as close to Union as possible, acknowledging challenges with congestion and constructability.
One major concern from residents is the 10-kilometre width of the study corridor, which may affect environmental areas, floodplains, and landmarks. Alto aims to narrow the rail path corridor after gathering public input.
High-speed trains, which can reach speeds of up to 315 kilometres per hour, require a straight line to operate, unlike traditional railways. Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon emphasized the importance of public consultations to shape the project with local input, environmental responsibility, and partnerships with Indigenous communities.
Once completed, the rail network will connect major cities, including Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval, Trois-Rivières, and Québec City, serving millions of Canadians. The first segment, from Ottawa to Montreal, is expected to begin construction in 2029 or 2030, with other segments potentially starting before that.
