A proposed high-frequency rail (HFR) project would provide services between Toronto and Quebec City, passing through Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, and Trois-Rivières. This project is currently in its procurement phase, with the selection of a private co-developer expected by the end of 2024. The House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (the Committee) heard from witnesses on the anticipated development of the project, continuing through the construction and operation of a dedicated rail line for HFR service.

Witnesses debated the pros and cons of the public-private partnership approach to this project, regarding its development and construction, the future operation of passenger rail service in the Toronto to Quebec City Corridor, and the potential impact on public passenger rail service in the rest of Canada.

The Committee also heard testimony on the importance of clearly defining the high frequency rail project’s objective before determining how it will be delivered. Witnesses discussed the difficulties of assessing the potential cost of the project, particularly as some aspects such as the route and speed remain undefined at this stage in the process. They also discussed whether high-speed rail should be prioritized over frequency, which municipalities should be served by an HFR station, and where within towns and cities these stations should be located.

Throughout the study, members of the Committee heard testimony that reflected the crucial importance of ensuring smooth connections between modes of transportation, particularly with public transit, to reduce downtown-to-downtown travel time as much as possible.