Canada Accelerates High-Speed Rail to Redefine National Ground Transport

Toronto, Canada

By Maria Kalamatas | The Logistic News
May 26, 2025 – Section: Land

Canada is making a bold push toward transforming its domestic transport system. In a landmark announcement yesterday, the federal government confirmed that the long-delayed high-speed rail project linking major cities in Ontario and Quebec will officially break ground in early 2026.

The move comes as part of a national strategy to reduce reliance on domestic flights, ease congestion, and offer faster, greener alternatives for intercity travel. Once completed, the new corridor will connect Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal with trains capable of reaching speeds of 300 kilometers per hour.

“This is more than just a railway. It’s the foundation of a new transportation era for Canada,” said Lisa Raitt, Canada’s Minister of Transport. “It supports our economic ambitions, our climate goals, and our need for better, faster connectivity.”

According to the initial plan, the Toronto–Montreal route, which currently takes about five hours by conventional rail, will be shortened to just over two. The trains will run on electricity drawn from renewable energy sources, making the project one of the country’s most ambitious low-carbon infrastructure undertakings.

Environmental groups have welcomed the news, calling it a critical step toward decarbonizing land transport.

“High-speed rail isn’t just efficient—it’s essential,” said Sarah Thompson, a sustainability advisor based in Ottawa. “This will redefine how Canadians move between cities without compromising the climate.”

The project is expected to create thousands of jobs during construction and revitalize key transport corridors. Authorities have also confirmed that discussions are underway with provincial governments and indigenous communities to ensure equitable development and long-term regional benefits.

While construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, early preparatory work—including land assessments, environmental studies, and route design—will be rolled out by the end of this year. The first trains are projected to begin operating by 2030.

Canada’s entry into high-speed rail comes as countries worldwide race to upgrade their ground transport systems for speed, sustainability, and resilience. For a country with vast geography and growing urban clusters, the timing couldn’t be more strategic.