Federal government celebrates progress on the GO Transit expansion

Ontario Progressive Conservative MPPs criticized Ottawa’s Alto high-speed rail plan, signaling concerns over its impact on rural communities, farmland, and local feedback in light of a broader Ottawa-Kingston-Quebec City rail proposal. The article notes a tacit deal between Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney linking Alto to support for…

The article reports that as of July 28, the federal government eliminated the daily cap (2,000 online renewals) for eligible adults renewing their Canadian passports online, expanding online renewals for those whose passports expire within 6 months or have already expired. It notes that online renewals are part of modernizing federal travel document…

The federal government plans to spend $1.6 billion to replace 45 aging Via Rail locomotives and invest $357 million to build a new assembly and maintenance facility in Montreal. Stadler will build the trains—nine in Spain and 36 in Canada—creating 1,200 full-time jobs, with first deliveries expected by 2031 and hybrid trains using Canadian-made batteries.

The federal government will spend about $1.9 billion to replace Via Rail’s aging locomotive fleet and to build a new assembly and maintenance plant, with $1.6 billion for 45 locomotives and $357 million for the facility. The locomotives, built by Stadler (first nine in Spain, remaining 36 in Canada), are described as the first hybrid trains in North…

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives, reacting to Ottawa’s Alto high-speed rail plan, voiced doubts and called for meaningful consultation with rural communities, farmers, and local businesses about the project. Federal Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon announced changes to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport plans and emphasized…

Ontario is rethinking its support for the federal Alto high-speed rail project following the decision to block the Billy Bishop expansion. The report notes the provincial government’s reconsideration of backing the Alto project in light of that blocked expansion.

The Ford government criticized the federal decision to halt the Billy Bishop airport expansion, saying Ottawa caved to a “fringe group” of Toronto residents and vowing to push forward with the project. Transportation Minister Prabneet Sarkaria stated there is no intention to repeal expropriation legislation or withdraw from the tri-partite agreement, and…

Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria says the federal government rejected Premier Ford’s plan to expand Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, after a public consultation showed 87% opposition among 87,000 respondents. He accuses the feds of listening to a “fringe group,” notes the province will push ahead with airport modernization, and…