CALGARY, AB, Sept. 28, 2026 /CNW/ -- High-speed rail in Canada has the potential to connect communities, give Canadians more travel options, create good jobs, attract new investment, and support economic growth.
Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, joined by the Honourable Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta Premier and the Honourable Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors announced the that Governments of Canada and Alberta will collaborate to explore the potential for high-speed rail connecting the Calgary-Red Deer-Edmonton corridor in Alberta.
As part of this collaboration:
- Like the Toronto - Quebec City High Speed Rail initiative, this initiative will be referred to the Major Projects Office (MPO) as a transformative strategy to explore how Alberta and Canada can strengthen collaboration, align expertise across departments and agencies, and support coordinated implementation.
- Canada and Alberta will establish a joint governance structure to guide collaboration, support planning activities and explore near-term activities to assess market interest and implementation opportunities, including potential market-sounding activities.
This collaboration complements ongoing federal efforts to strengthen passenger rail and improve intercity connectivity across Canada. Together, Canada and Alberta will explore the potential for high-speed rail in Alberta, share expertise and information, and identify next steps to advance planning and development of this transformative transportation initiative.
As work progresses, the governments will engage with Indigenous communities, municipalities, industry, investors, stakeholders, and the public.
Quotes
"High-speed rail has great potential to reshape the way people move in Canada, and supports Alberta's economic growth, productivity, and regional connectivity. Today's collaboration demonstrates our shared commitment to exploring opportunities that could deliver lasting benefits for Albertans and Canadians."
The Honourable Steven MacKinnon
Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
"Connecting Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton with high-speed rail would be a generational investment in Alberta's future. As our province continues to grow, we need to build the infrastructure that keeps people, businesses and our economy moving. By working with the federal government, we are taking the next steps toward a project that could strengthen one of Canada's fastest-growing economic corridors and support Alberta's growth for decades to come."
Danielle Smith
Premier of Alberta
"Building a stronger Canada means building big, and that means working together to deliver the infrastructure Canadians need to connect communities, grow our economy and create good jobs. By bringing the federal and provincial governments together, along with the expertise of the Major Projects Office, we will explore how we can turn this opportunity into a transformative project for Alberta and for Canada. This is what building a strong, connected and prosperous Canada looks like--working together to get big things built."
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy
"This is what it means to dream big and work together. High-speed rail between Edmonton and Calgary would create incredible new job and business opportunities for Albertans while transforming Canada's third-largest transportation corridor. It would connect our communities and bring our friends and family closer together. Today's announcement reflects our shared commitment to deliver lasting benefits for Albertans, that also contribute to Canada's long-term prosperity. "
The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski
Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada
"Throughout the development of Alberta's Passenger Rail Master Plan, we heard that a high-speed passenger rail connection between Calgary and Edmonton via Red Deer is a priority for Albertans. We are excited to move forward with this project which will transform the way Albertans travel."
Devin Dreeshen
Alberta Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors
Quick facts
- Canada and Alberta are establishing a joint governance structure to guide collaboration, support information sharing, planning, due diligence, and evidence-based decision-making as the initiative advances.
- The partnership supports Alberta's Passenger Rail Master Plan, which identifies enhanced passenger rail connections as an opportunity to support future growth, mobility, and economic development.
- The Government of Alberta is preparing to launch a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process this fall, inviting private-sector proponents to submit proposals for a downtown Calgary-Red Deer-downtown Edmonton High-Speed Rail project that also includes service to Alberta's two largest airports and the City of Airdrie. The successful proponent would be selected by April of 2027.
- Canada is advancing high-speed rail in the Quebec City-Toronto corridor and working with partners to explore opportunities to strengthen intercity passenger rail connectivity across Canada. This will inform future high-speed rail projects, like this one in Alberta.
- This partnership reflects a shared commitment to enhancing mobility, increasing economic productivity, strengthening regional connectivity, attracting investment, and supporting Alberta's long-term growth and competitiveness.
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SOURCE Transport Canada - Ottawa
Contacts: Marie-Justine Torres, Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor, Office of the Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, 613-327-5918, [email protected]; Media relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055, [email protected]
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