The Missing Middle with Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux
Reece Martin has a Vision for Canada’s High Speed Rail Future
Mar 5, 2025
This conversation dives into the ambitious plans for a high-speed rail connecting major Canadian cities. Experts analyze political motivations behind the chosen routes and the challenges that have historically plagued transit in Canada. They contrast the Canadian approach with Europe's successful rail systems, highlighting critical lessons to be learned. The dialogue also navigates the political landscape's impact on infrastructure decisions, emphasizing the necessity for strategic governance and bold investment to make high-speed rail a reality.
27:37
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Quick takeaways
- The Canadian high-speed rail project faces skepticism due to a history of stalled plans and a lack of political will.
- Political motivations influence route decisions, prioritizing connections that serve interests over practical transit needs, undermining effective planning.
Deep dives
Government Inaction on High-Speed Rail
The Canadian government has announced a multi-billion dollar plan for high-speed rail running from Quebec City to Toronto, but this initiative primarily consists of a further study rather than immediate action. The proposed service is expected to reach speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour, connecting major cities in around three hours. However, critics argue that prior plans have been stalled for years, leading to skepticism that this plan will be executed any better than its predecessors. This continual cycle of studying rather than building suggests a lack of political will to make significant progress in improving Canada's rail infrastructure.
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