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Rail Transportation

During question period, the Alto high-speed rail project came up. Jacques Gourde of the Conservatives asked whether the project’s roughly $150 billion cost was included in the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s projected deficits of more than $330 billion over five years, arguing the government was adding to its debt. Steven MacKinnon, for the Liberals, said the project would create 51,000 jobs, boost the economy, and improve travel between Quebec’s biggest cities, and urged Conservative support for it.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

2 statements

Jacques Gourde

Conservative

Linked statement

“The government's deficit will be more than $330 billion over the next five years. The Alto rail project will cost another $150 billion. Is the $150 billion for the rail project included in that deficit number, or is it on top of it?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s latest report revealed that the deficits over the next five years will total more than $330 billion. In addition, the Alto project represents another $150 billion. The Liberal government is digging itself deeper and deeper into a bottomless pit of debt. Can the Liberals confirm whether or not the $150 billion for the Alto project is included in the $330-billion deficit?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“I want the Conservatives to support our high-speed rail project. It will create 51,000 jobs, help our economy, and make travel easier between Quebec's biggest cities.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Quebeckers have no reason to take note of the Conservative Party of Canada’s opposition to a transformative project that will create 51,000 jobs, add points to our GDP, and change the game when it comes to mobility in our country, especially between Quebec’s biggest cities, namely Quebec City, Trois-Rivières, Laval, Montreal and Gatineau. I urge and implore my colleague to get on board with high-speed rail. Let us get Canada moving.

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