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#high-speed-rail

Centre Block, Parliament Hill, Ottawa — the PBO reports to Parliament; not an Alto site — Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0

Debt & Fiscal|Canada

PBO prices Alto high-speed rail at $75–113 billion, above Ottawa’s $60–90 billion range

The Parliamentary Budget Officer’s 1 October 2026 report, requested by the Senate finance committee, estimates the baseline Toronto–Québec City route (without the Kingston option) would cost $75 billion to $113 billion to build, in 2024 dollars. The government’s own range is $60–90 billion. Tunnels, the Canadian Shield, and later start dates drive the number. Ridership and operating costs come in a second report.

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