Speed Over Logic: Does The Alto Route Make Sense?

Since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his ambitious high-speed rail proposal, recently rebranded as Alto, there’s been a growing voice of criticism regarding the true benefit of the project. Billed as Canada’s “largest-ever infrastructure project,” the rail network aims to link Toronto and Quebec City with 300 km/h trains.

The route adds stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Laval, and Trois-Rivières. But for economist Dr. Mike P. Moffatt, “the route that the federal government has chosen for the new high-speed train makes zero sense.”

He acknowledges the strategic importance of connecting Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal—home to some of Canada’s largest metro populations—but sees little rationale for extending to lower-growth areas instead of thriving hubs such as Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, and Windsor.

“KW, London, and Windsor are three of the fastest-growing metros in Canada,” while Hamilton’s metropolitan area already rivals or outpaces Quebec City’s, he reasoned. Yet instead of building westward, the project plans to lay roughly 260 kilometres of track beyond Montreal to reach Quebec City, a region that, by the time the network is built, could be outstripped in population by Hamilton.

“In short, this route makes zero sense, bypassing large, fast growing metros in favour of smaller, slower growing ones,” he argued.

The economist pointed out that Laval has been chosen for a station, though its population growth lags behind that of Mississauga or Brampton, two Greater Toronto Area suburbs of comparable or larger size. Dr. Moffatt also wonders why Peel Region—roughly three times as populous as the Laval region—was left off.

“I wish I were still in government, so I could see the GBA+ analysis on this, giving the demographics of the communities that got stops, and the ones that were bypassed,” he ended.

Trudeau’s government touts that Alto (formerly VIA HFR) will modernize intercity travel, slash travel times by half, and deliver significant environmental and economic benefits. The chosen private consortium, Cadence—composed of CPDQ Infra, AtkinsRéalis, SYSTRA Canada, Keolis Canada, Air Canada, and SNCF Voyageurs—will co-develop and potentially operate the system.

READ: Will The Trudeau’s Train Project, Alto, Leave The Station Before He Does?

According to federal projections, the rail line could generate more than 50,000 construction jobs over a decade and eventually serve upwards of 24 million passengers yearly by 2055. These lofty figures are supported by claims of a 1.1% boost to Canada’s GDP.


Information for this story was found via the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.

Leave a Reply

Video Articles

Endeavour Mining Q1 Earnings: Cash Flow Is King

G Mining Oko West Feasibility: Move Fast, Break.. Nothing?

New Gold Q1 Earnings: What’s Behind The Market’s Surprising Reaction?

Recommended

Giant Mining Encounters Native Copper As Hole MHB-34 Hits 563 Metres Depth

Verses Hits Commercialization Stage With Genius AI Platform

Related News

Dominic LeBlanc Takes Over Finance Ministry Amid Trudeau’s Growing Crisis

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing a deepening political crisis after Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia...

Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 09:55:23 AM

Trudeau Clarifies Cocaine License “Not Permission To Sell Commercially” As Second BC Firm Secures License

Langley-based Adastra Holdings (CSE: XTRX) has walked back its original statement regarding its announcement of...

Friday, March 3, 2023, 08:50:18 PM

Trudeau Wants To Regulate Podcasts Via CRTC

Canada’s broadcasting regulatory authority, the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), has issued a news release...

Tuesday, October 3, 2023, 01:14:00 PM

Trudeau’s Canada: Youth Rank 50 Spots Lower Than Seniors In Happiness Index

The recently released World Happiness Index for the years 2021-2023 has shed light on significant...

Sunday, April 28, 2024, 11:47:00 AM

Saskatchewan and Federal Government To Clash In Court Over Carbon Tax Collection

The province of Saskatchewan has taken a legal stand against the federal government by filing...

Friday, July 5, 2024, 12:57:00 PM