Statement from Sam Hersh, Clean Transportation Program Manager

Ottawa | Traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People – Today’s announcement of high-speed rail in the Ottawa–Montréal corridor is exactly the kind of nation-building investment Canada needs. This is one of the country’s most densely populated corridors, and for the first time, Canadians will have a real, reliable alternative to short-haul flights and car travel.

From a climate perspective, this project is a clear win. Investments like this help reduce vehicle kilometres travelled, improve air quality, and strengthen Canada’s ability to meet its climate commitments, all while making daily life easier and more affordable for people who live and work along this corridor. We are glad to see governments choosing clean, efficient transportation over locking in infrastructure that prioritizes car travel and high emissions.

High-speed rail should be the backbone of a broader national transit strategy — one that connects this project with strong regional rail and local bus networks, and prioritizes electrification, service growth and an increase in ridership. This project will only succeed if it’s matched with sustained federal support for the everyday transit systems that feed into it. Nation-building can’t stop at marquee announcements: if the federal government is serious about cutting pollution and giving people real alternatives to driving, it must also invest in regional buses, commuter rail, and local transit.

Background:

  • A publicly owned, electrified high-speed rail line has the potential to create more than 50,000 jobs and add roughly $35 billion to Canada’s GDP
  • High-speed rail can take more than 100,000 cars off the road every year and significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions
  • Transit agencies across Canada are facing service cuts and fare increases as a result of declining federal support in transit funding

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.

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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Lauren Thomas, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca