Building a more prosperous economy

1. Benefits throughout the network

The Alto project is much more than a high-speed rail network; it is a major economic transformation for Canada. It will generate local and national benefits at every phase—from development to operation, and for many generations to come.

Once in service, Alto is expected to generate an annual economic impact of $24.5 billion, equivalent to 1.1% of the national GDP. By bringing markets, talent and innovation hubs closer together, the project will help close Canada’s productivity gap with other G7 countries.

Tangible benefits for Canadians

• Creating jobs and opportunities: Alto will mobilize over 50,000 workers across the country during construction and more than 5,000 once the network is fully operational. Businesses will be able to take advantage of new and diversified business opportunities.
• Time savings: up to 155 million hours saved each year through travel time cut in half.
• Access to affordable living environments: thousands of families will be able to settle in less expensive areas while remaining connected to major centres.
• Urban revitalization: urban development around stations, with tens of thousands of new diversified homes, including affordable housing.
• Less traffic congestion: Montréal and Toronto consistently ranks among the most congested cities in North America. Alto will help remove the equivalent of 100,000 cars from the road each year, reducing productivity losses.
• Revitalized tourism: an estimated $800 million per year, from Toronto to Québec City.

2. Mobilizing our local talent, expertise and resources

Alto is the country’s most ambitious infrastructure project in decades. It requires unprecedented coordination between governments, businesses, workers and communities.

Varied expertise

From the development and pre-construction phase, specialists in engineering, procurement, environment, design and community relations are mobilized. Designing a nearly 1,000 km route requires collective intelligence as well as Canadian and international innovation.

During construction, tens of thousands of workers will be employed, including heavy equipment operators, drivers, welders, concrete workers, railway track installers, electricians, surveyors and civil engineers.

Businesses of all sizes will also benefit from new business opportunities, including engineering, surveying, environmental assessment and construction management. This engagement will help build leading-edge Canadian expertise in rail transportation.

To build 4,000 km of rail, the material requirements will be enormous, including millions of:

• Steel
• Concrete
• Ballast
• Copper
• And more

These needs require upgrading industrial facilities, strengthening supply chains, and leveraging local resources. The federal government supports this approach with its “Buy Canadian” policy.

Finally, the network will contribute to the country’s climate goals: it will be fully electric and powered by a reliable, sustainable source, in collaboration with Québec and Ontario.

3. Economic participation of Indigenous peoples

Indigenous peoples are key partners in the Alto project. From the outset, discussions were held in a spirit of respect and collaboration, with a clear goal of contributing to concrete and lasting reconciliation. This approach has resulted in several major commitments, including:

• Integrate Indigenous knowledge and values into the development of the network
• Create tangible socio-economic benefits in the form of jobs, contracts and economic development opportunities
• Ensure the financial participation of communities and the establishment of lasting legacies that will benefit future generations

These commitments take shape through collaborative agreements established jointly with communities. The agreements set out a clear framework for participation at each stage of the project and ensure long-term benefits. To date, several agreements have been reached, and others are being discussed.

These agreements are much more than contracts: they reflect meaningful, two-way dialogue, tailored to the realities and priorities of each group. Together, Alto and Indigenous groups are defining common goals—from economic development to sustainability and long-term benefits—so that communities can chart their own future and benefit fully from the project.

To support this ambition, Alto is planning joint initiatives, such as support measures to help communities prepare for economic development opportunities. Alto is committed to ensuring that Indigenous voices are meaningfully represented throughout the project so that every decision respects their values and aspirations.