Alberta’s government says it will launch this fall a formal request for private companies to submit a proposal for a high-speed rail system that would connect Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary.
Premier Danielle Smith says Ottawa has agreed to refer the project to its major projects office once a proponent has been selected.
Smith says the proponent would be selected by April 2027.
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Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski, who represents an Edmonton riding, says Ottawa is prepared to work with Alberta on the project.
She says the work will include speaking to Indigenous communities, municipalities and the public to understand the costs, benefits and effects of a high-speed rail system.
Smith says the railway service would also include stops at Alberta’s two largest airports.
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“Statistics Canada’s most recent population data shows that Alberta is growing faster than every other province in 2026 and the Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton region is home to roughly 80 per cent of Alberta’s population,” Smith told a news conference in Calgary on Monday.
“That increasing demand is creating a greater need for modern transportation infrastructure to keep people as well as services moving efficiently.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government established the Calgary-based major projects office last year to speed along infrastructure deemed in the national interest.
Hmmm, and how will that work if Dany gets her seperation vote??
So will all of Canada be paying for this one too ??
A RETURN TICKET WILL OVER REACH MOST POCKETS.
A HIGH SPEED ELECTRIC ELEVATED SYSTEM IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO. ANY MODEL RAILWAY ENTHUSIAST CAN DESIGN THE BEST LAYOUT, BUT IT WON’ GO THAT WAY. MONEY MONEY MONEY, WILL DIVERT IT TO THE POCKETS OF THE KISSY KISSY
…a deflection from the health care mess? I’m sure it is all under control…..stay gullible ‘berta…
Waste of time and money, no one will use it. Widen HW2 from Edm to the US border instead.
Rest of the provincial roads in the meantime crumble, but distractions are plenty.
You can spend billions widening QE2 or spend them for high speed rail. In the end rail will carry more people faster and take less land.
I’m no opposed to 3 laning QE2 between Calgary and Edmonton, plus making improvements at Leduc and Red Deer, but in the end rail can be more effective and efficient.
Sam Mraiche High Speed Rail INC.
Waste of time and money, but most importantly a lousy effort by Danielle and the UCP to distract from the Referendum disaster while further lining their pockets at the same time.
Widen hiway 2 from Okotoks to Edmonton to 3 lanes the whole way with zero at grade intersections, and twin hiway 28 and 63 the rest of the way north of Edmonton.
Are Indigenous and the Homeless allowed to ride for free? (Asking for a friend)
Fix the degraded infrastructure in Alberta instead. It’s around $40 billion, by now, thanks to Ralph Klein not bothering to look after it. The UCP, much like Ralph Klein can’t stop wasting money on foolish things.
All this nonsense to divert attention from hwy 2 needing urgent upgrades.
I BELIEVE THIS WOMAN IS POLISHING CARNEY’S KN OB TO A NICE HIGH GLOSS SHEEN, EVERYTIME THEY MEET
That’s good idea , but Edmonton and Calgary aren’t that far from each other inky 3 hours of driving, it would make more sense if will have that plan be done to connect high speed rail from Edmonton to Fort McMurray and Fortmcmurray to Edmonton all the way to Calgary is much much better best project to be done.
Put capital towards widening and improving hwy 2, to modern standards! This high-speed rail nonsense for Alberta has been going on for 50 years now and not one meter of rail has been constructed!!
Why should Canada help fund Alberta projects when Alberta is holding a separation referendum
Another scam scheme to line insider pockets but nothing more.
When pigs fly…
Don’t be silly. The tickets will cost way more than driving