High Speed Rail in Canada

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Franco401

We live in one of the worst climate offending countries per capita in the world. It's funny how this is something that isn't mentioned in mainstream Canadian politics anymore, because the Libs and NDP are afraid of how the oil lobby massacred Trudeau for the Carbon Tax, the most necessary policy ever implemented. Policy in this country is controlled by 60 year olds with giant trucks, driving 30km to work everyday because nobody has had the balls to tell them their lifestyle needs to change. It makes me sick.

I do think it's fair to point out that if the Liberals really care about climate change, transit and trains instead of flights is a major area they can help with.

More generally I think it's going to work out better trying to help with R&D and shift government-provided services like transportation and power generation in a low-carbon direction, rather than trying to sabotage the economy in various ways, cutting energy budgets or kneecapping the oil and gas industry.

There's nothing wrong with cost-benefit analysis but we should be honest about uncertainty and how hard it can be to quantify the benefits. At the end of the day most big public policy decisions and projects have a large judgement component and proceed on very incomplete information.

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by Franco401

Keep your cost-benefit analysis to yourself.

Hang on there. It's fair to criticize and debate the ideas presented, but not to shut down the sharing of those ideas in the first place.

[Coldrsx]

MP Jeneroux post on LinkedIn

[O-tacular]

Marlaina’s monorail! Just in time to distract from the multitude of scandals and the never ending mess of the referendumb. Speaking of which I was denied my early voting ballot with no warning or reason given. And when I called Elections Alberta their excuse was the recent by-election in Calgary that wasn’t even in my riding! Waiting for a call back tomorrow.

[craner]

A couple of news releases to fill everyone in on the Calgary-Edmonton HSR announcement today:

Calgary-Edmonton high-speed rail project moves forward with new commitments from Alberta, feds
http://https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-edmonton-red-deer-rail-service-alberta-canada-9.7361563

Alberta’s high-speed rail plans just took a major step forward
http://https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/alberta-high-speed-rail-step-forward

[Coldrsx]

It's basically going to be a private venture with some ROW and other support from feasibility studies by the sounds of it.

Still 5-10yrs off from any start in my mind and a what, 7-10 year build?

I hope I get a deep seniors discount.

[Airboy]

Yah probably will not be done in my lifetime. Also the photo op in front of the steam carriages is the perfect metaphor for Danni's monorail. Hell just bring back the Dayliner.

As for the voting mine went back on Saturday. Offensive and leading questions.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Airboy

Yah probably will not be done in my lifetime. Also the photo op in front of the steam carriages is the perfect metaphor for Danni's monorail. Hell just bring back the Dayliner.

As for the voting mine went back on Saturday. Offensive and leading questions.

So many possibilities for this meme:

[Metro-One]

So goodbye HSR? I see Quebec decided to give Trump a victory, good job! I’m glad Florida is screwing over all the French Canadian snowbirds.

[ericmacm]

Quebec electing a separatist/sovereignist government has no impact on HSR, as the HSR is a federal project, and separatist polling is at an all-time low in Quebec

[Taeolas]

It is a Federal project, but it will require cooperation between Ottawa, Ontario and Quebec.

And I believe the PQ have already come out against the project since they don't want to strengthen ties with the Rest of Canada, even if it makes economic sense.

Hopefully Carney will keep pushing for this project regardless and can finally bring it through. Everyone can see the economic viability of it, it's only politics that is causing issues really.

[LikesBikes]

The optimist in me would hope the PQ, in it' anti-Anglo Canada stance, would embrace public transit, walkability, and bicycling as a way to differentiate their province from anglo/north american car and giant truck culture. Already small town Quebec seems more friendly to that kind of stuff, what with apartments and bike lanes seeming to be more common than in similar-sized jurisdictions elsewhere. Is there any evidence of PQ being pro-urbanism (for lack of a better term) than the other parties/CAQ?

[ToxiK]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

So goodbye HSR? I see Quebec decided to give Trump a victory, good job! I’m glad Florida is screwing over all the French Canadian snowbirds.

Very nice of you ! Let French Canadians get screwed in Florida because 28 % of people in Québec voted PQ. Not for separation, just for the PQ. And it is not specifically the French part of French Canadians that is being targeted, it is the Canadian. Are you also the type to blame all Jews for Netanyahu's actions?

[ericmacm]

PQ is more right wing in its current form and puts sovereignist issues first, so I wouldn’t count on them being more urbanist. QS would probably align more with what you want (they are essentially a left wing sovereignist party). With a PQ minority, they will have to compromise to pass legislation and will have to dial it back on some of their stances. Hard to say on whether they would prefer to align with QS for commonality on sovereignist issues, or with the federalist CPQ for conservative issues. However, I consider it significantly more likely that the government will collapse before the next election.

[ToxiK]

Originally Posted by Taeolas

It is a Federal project, but it will require cooperation between Ottawa, Ontario and Quebec.

And I believe the PQ have already come out against the project since they don't want to strengthen ties with the Rest of Canada, even if it makes economic sense.

Hopefully Carney will keep pushing for this project regardless and can finally bring it through. Everyone can see the economic viability of it, it's only politics that is causing issues really.

The PQ might try to stop the project, but that doesn't mean it cannot start in other parts of the corridor. You can start to built the Toronto-Ottawa part and then continue with the Ottawa-Montréal part when the PQ is gone (it is a minority government, there will probably be another election in 2 years). The Ottawa-Montréal part is suppose to be an easier one to build, so it can suffer a couple of years of political delay. The Montréal-Québec City part might be more difficult, though. It is more complicated and less profitable then the rest of the corridor. It might take years, if ever, to be build. Québec City voted massively for the PQ and the PCQ, two parties that opposed the HSR.

[ToxiK]

Originally Posted by ericmacm

PQ is more right wing in its current form and puts sovereignist issues first, so I wouldn’t count on them being more urbanist. QS would probably align more with what you want (they are essentially a left wing sovereignist party). With a PQ minority, they will have to compromise to pass legislation and will have to dial it back on some of their stances. Hard to say on whether they would prefer to align with QS for commonality on sovereignist issues, or with the federalist CPQ for conservative issues. However, I consider it significantly more likely that the government will collapse before the next election.

The PQ want to re-launch the REM de l'Est project (or something to that effect), they are not as opposed to public transit as the PCQ. By the way, the PCQ doesn't identify as federalist but as autonomists, like the CAQ.

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by ToxiK

Very nice of you ! Let French Canadians get screwed in Florida because 28 % of people in Québec voted PQ. Not for separation, just for the PQ. And it is not specifically the French part of French Canadians that is being targeted, it is the Canadian. Are you also the type to blame all Jews for Netanyahu's actions?

Only 29% (roughly) of elegable American voters elected Donald Trump.

That sure doesn't stop us of labeling Trump as a failure of the US and American system overall.

A slim minority of Albertan's are in favor of separation, but this stupid vote to have a vote on separation is still a failure of the province overall.

The other 72% of people in Quebec need to do better to stop retarded — like the PQ from happening, which weaken Canada overall during an existential crisis and throw a massive monkey wrench into this long overdue project that finally got some real traction.

Daniel Smith says she personally chooses to stay in Canada, but she rode the tiger, and that egg remains on her face.

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is traitor, end of story, and he can get fucked as much as Smith.

Do better Quebec and Alberta.

Sorry, I'm done being polite and taking so much — from this world recently politically.

SMARTEN THE — UP PEOPLE! This isn't the time to even hint at playing finger — separationist games.

[ToxiK]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Only 29% (roughly) of elegable American voters elected Donald Trump.

That sure doesn't stop us of labeling Trump as a failure of the US and American system overall.

Il you want to count the votes compared to the eligible population, than it falls to 19 % of eligible voters that voted for the PQ. Not that much at all. Also, gaining 29 % of the votes in a election with 5 majors parties is not the same than to win 29 % of eligible voters in a election with 2 parties. That and the PQ is in a minority position, so there might be another election in 2 years.

[hipster duck]

Back to Alto news, I'm re-posting something that the user Allandale25 posted on Urban Toronto, that they re-posted off a Live Tweet on X from a user named George Bell who attended Alto's Board Meeting.

It has a lot of useful information:

Alto Board Meeting - 20 minute departures in major markets, Mirabel option to reduce agricultural impacts, program to include more Canadian company involvement, 50k employment during construction.

Goal to break ground 2029, on budget, on time...in the field, in the market for suppliers. Divided into 3 Projects. Montreal to Ottawa presentation in fall...narrow corridor (500-600m).

Goal is to not sever land, reduce impact. Compensation will be reasonable, fare market value +100 years...

Long project, lots of elections along the way, Alto is focusing on being ready to build and deliver. Willing to work with all governments to get the best result.

Consultations with indigenous communities is ongoing. Inspired by feedback. Meeting with leaders and members of communities.

First question is about European influence...discusses that many of the partners in Cadence were instrumental in the development of HSR in Europe.

Why are NDA's needed within government...mainly to prevent land speculation along the route...

Price/frequency will be announced in business case next year. Secondary stations are being studied as well with either stubs or passthrough stations as possiblilities.

Toronto->Ottawa...strong case for Kingston, continues being studied, analytical tradeoff between ridership and time...early 2027 is reasonable, but no commitment...

This autumn preferred corridor, advising and info will go out to specific land owners based on the wide area route (600m). 27-28 once the 60m route is finalized there will be one on one meetings with land owners.

There are dozens of route variants being studied in the 6km corridor...variation within the narrow preferred corridor (600m) is still possible...based on geotechnical work we will get a 60m finalized route...

Current behaviour+expected behaviour will become part of the business case. Significant. 100m movements in the corridor already...aiming for a portion of that. Affordable, but also business class that will be higher value.

Frontenac arch, minimize impact, follow existing highway.

2029 - Montreal long tunnel, 7-8 years to build Montreal->Ottawa route. Sounds like the tunnel will come 2 years after the centre section is done (translation was difficult to understand).

Some discussions with VIA on efficiencies and options for improving stations, maintenance services, etc.

Most important project in the country since St Lawrence Seaways. Challenge will be to find enough people to work on it, working with unions to ensure there is workers in remote areas.

None of the existing rails are usable for HSR. CN/CP routes have lots of infrastructure and buildings near rails that would have to be dealt with.

Budget will be much more precise after the geotechnical work is done.

44 indigenous groups are impacted by route. All have been engaged to different levels at the moment. Working to determine benefits and process is ongoing.

Kingston hasn't had a consultation yet...but it's likely they will in the future (since consultation was for the original corridor)...[probably should just one]