Budget watchdog says Toronto-Quebec high-speed rail could cost up to $113 billion

In response to a Senate finance committee request, the Parliamentary Budget Office published a study on the Alto high-speed rail corridor linking Toronto and Quebec City. The analysis puts the project's cost between $75 billion and $113 billion, surpassing the government's prior estimate of $60-$90 billion. The report bases its figures on international construction data and assumptions about the Canadian route, highlighting tunnels and elevated structures as the main expense sources.

Specifically, each additional kilometre of tunnel could add $169 million, while each kilometre of elevated track could add $153 million to the total. A potential stop in Kingston, Ontario, is noted to increase cost uncertainty due to easier construction terrain but higher population density and ecological sensitivity. Liberal Transport Minister Steve MacKinnon defended the initiative as an economic catalyst, while Conservative critics labeled it a costly boondoggle and local residents in Eastern Ontario voiced opposition.