Fréchette backs high-speed rail; accuses PQ of abandoning Quebec City

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette threw her support squarely behind the federal high-speed rail project Thursday, June 12, while accusing the Parti Québécois of "turning its back" on the Capitale-Nationale region.

Fréchette made the remarks while addressing Quebec City's business community, emphasizing that the Coalition Avenir Québec backs the Alto project—which would connect Toronto and Quebec City with stops across Ontario and Quebec.

"It's a large-scale project that is highly transformative and will generate major benefits for the Capitale-Nationale region and for Quebec, while also being funded by the federal government," she said, drawing applause. "It will create economic benefits and improve transportation efficiency, mobility and the environment."

PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has argued the province should prioritize repairing aging infrastructure instead. Earlier this week, he announced a PQ government would withdraw Quebec from the project—a position Fréchette directly rejected.

"For me, the PQ's position on this issue amounts to turning its back on the Capitale-Nationale region and abandoning it," the premier concluded.

Alto estimates the project will cost between $60 billion and $90 billion, with construction of the first segment—between Montreal and Ottawa—expected to begin in 2029 or 2030. Fréchette also reiterated Thursday her commitment to improving bridge access and building a third link between Quebec City and Lévis, acknowledging the CAQ government had mishandled both files.

With a provincial election campaign expected in roughly two months, infrastructure pledges are taking center stage.