Alto has announced the start of a public consultation programme for its proposed high-speed rail network in Canada.
The consultations will run from 21 January to March 2026 and include over 20 in-person sessions across communities between Toronto and Quebec City, alongside eight virtual sessions and a dedicated online information platform.
The consultation process also includes a separate programme for Indigenous communities, which has already begun. Early engagement with these communities has involved co-designed tools, technical briefings, and collaboration agreements, reflecting Alto’s stated commitment to working respectfully with Indigenous partners along the corridor.
Ottawa–Montreal has been chosen as starting point for Alto High-Speed Rail
© Alto
The public consultations aim to gather input to inform the future selection of the rail alignment and station locations. Feedback from residents, landowners, and local authorities will also help guide efforts to reduce environmental and social impacts, while taking account of the needs of both urban and rural areas.
Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, The Honourable Steven MacKinnon said:
The launch of public consultations is an important milestone for the Alto High-Speed Rail project. By engaging Canadians early, and by working in partnership with Indigenous communities, we are ensuring this project is shaped by local knowledge, environmental responsibility, and shared priorities. This work will help lay the foundation for a modern transportation network that creates good jobs, supports economic growth, strengthens regional connections, and delivers lasting benefits for communities along the corridor.
Alto is a Crown corporation tasked with developing Canada’s first high-speed rail network connecting Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval, Trois-Rivières, and Québec City. The network is intended to improve connectivity along one of Canada’s most populated corridors.
Feedback from consultations will help shape the rail network alignment, with a second consultation planned later in 2026 to review proposals.
Martin Imbleau, President & CEO, Alto said:
Public engagement is a cornerstone of the Alto project. Through broad consultations with Canadians, including meaningful dialogue with Indigenous communities, we will ensure that every voice is heard in shaping the future of transportation. By working collaboratively, we will build a rail network that reflects shared priorities, respects Indigenous rights and knowledge, and delivers lasting benefits for generations to come.